as in to punish
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
the player was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of penalize
Under the law, app store operators like Apple and Google and internet service providers would be penalized for supporting TikTok.
—
Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 17 June 2025
The two had cleared the air by this point.
October 27 2024: Mexico City Grand Prix
Infringement: Forcing another driver off track
Penalty points: 2
Norris and Verstappen went head-to-head again in Mexico, a week after their battle in Austin had controversially ended with Norris being penalized.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 14 June 2025
In voting to deny the measures, AQMD board member Janet Nguyen said the rule would unnecessarily penalize people by raising the cost of household appliances.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Louisiana, which does not share a border with a foreign country, is one of several states attempting to penalize local officials who don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
—Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalize
Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 17 June 2025
The two had cleared the air by this point.
October 27 2024: Mexico City Grand Prix
Infringement: Forcing another driver off track
Penalty points: 2
Norris and Verstappen went head-to-head again in Mexico, a week after their battle in Austin had controversially ended with Norris being penalized.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 14 June 2025
In voting to deny the measures, AQMD board member Janet Nguyen said the rule would unnecessarily penalize people by raising the cost of household appliances.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Louisiana, which does not share a border with a foreign country, is one of several states attempting to penalize local officials who don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
—Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalize
punish
Verb
-
Instead of being punished for keeping coal unburned, these communities can be rewarded and reinvested in jobs, renewables, and resilience.—
Michael Sheldrick,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
At the end of Season 2, In-ho so graciously betrays everybody and eventually sneaks away from the pack, fakes his own death of the walkie talkie, and then puts his mask back on and punishes Gi-hun for causing this whole revolt and shoots and kills his best friend right in front of him.—
Jim Halterman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalize. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share