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
Essentially they’ll be penalized for doing what front offices strive to achieve — drafting the right players and cultivating an environment that enhances their development.
—
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
An arbitrational panel in Britain, Sports Resolution, ruled in April 2023 the tour had the right to penalize players as a membership organization.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Also, strong steps against the Russian shadow fleet that surreptitiously transports energy products, designation of Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, and other economic measures strongly penalizing Russia and aiding Ukraine.
—U.s. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
The law prevents health insurers and providers from penalizing patients who inadvertently receive out-of-network care.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penalize
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
An arbitrational panel in Britain, Sports Resolution, ruled in April 2023 the tour had the right to penalize players as a membership organization.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Also, strong steps against the Russian shadow fleet that surreptitiously transports energy products, designation of Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, and other economic measures strongly penalizing Russia and aiding Ukraine.
—U.s. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
The law prevents health insurers and providers from penalizing patients who inadvertently receive out-of-network care.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalize
punish
Verb
-
There’s water everywhere, approach angles that punish the wrong side of the fairway, and a closing stretch with a long history of turning good rounds into cautionary tales.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
During an explosive court hearing in the lawsuit accusing former Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo of using city resources to punish political opponents, an unexpected character with little connection to City Hall took center stage this week.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalize. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
