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
The issue has been controversial since reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen was penalized last year for cursing at a press conference after the Singapore race.
—
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2025
Now, a man died, and that's a tragedy, but not every tragedy is a crime, and not every death means someone has to be penalized, and self-defense is not a crime.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2025
Assembly Bill 2188, which went into effect in 2024, bans California employers from firing, penalizing or creating employment conditions for workers based on cannabis use off the job or away from the workplace.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2025
This is not the first time that Trump’s administration has moved to penalize a local judge.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalize
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2025
Now, a man died, and that's a tragedy, but not every tragedy is a crime, and not every death means someone has to be penalized, and self-defense is not a crime.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2025
Assembly Bill 2188, which went into effect in 2024, bans California employers from firing, penalizing or creating employment conditions for workers based on cannabis use off the job or away from the workplace.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2025
This is not the first time that Trump’s administration has moved to penalize a local judge.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalize
punish
Verb
-
The national opioid settlements punished pharmaceutical manufacturers and some pharmacies for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic, which began with prescription painkillers and ultimately morphed into fentanyl.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
And will Joe be punished by the jury for voting out his allies?—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalize. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share