The term 'whipping post' has a negative connotation because it is a tool that was commonly used to punish criminals. The term itself has been replaced with more modern and less brutal terms. Some synonyms for the term whipping post include a pillory, stocks, and a wooden horse. These terms are used to refer to the structure or device that was used to punish offenders in the past. While many of these synonyms are now archaic and no longer used, they serve as a reminder of the harsh punishment systems employed in the past and the progress our society has made towards more humanistic methods of punishment.