as in punished
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
the player was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct
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Recent Examples of penalized
Israeli soldiers accused of harming Palestinians are rarely penalized and were indicted in fewer than 1% of cases based on 2,427 complaints alleging wrongdoing between 2016 and 2024, according to Israeli rights group Yesh Din.
—
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
He was not penalized, and opponents did not publicly take issue with Gudas' role in that situation.
—CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
In the movies and in fairy tales, nobody was penalized for falling in love at first sight.
—Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
The Skippers handed Moorhead a prime opportunity to complete the comeback with its second penalty of the period, as Cameron Merrick was penalized for hooking.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
In California, prowling is a misdemeanor that can be penalized with up to six months in county jail or a fine of up to $1,000.
—Lucy Hodgman, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Mar. 2026
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
The match was in the balance at 22-18 in the last 10 minutes, before Braidon Burns was penalized for a high hit on Knights star Kalyn Ponga and was sent to the sin bin by referee Ashley Klein.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
If utilities don't deliver to the state's standards, they can be penalized.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 27 Feb. 2026
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
He was not penalized, and opponents did not publicly take issue with Gudas' role in that situation.
—CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
In the movies and in fairy tales, nobody was penalized for falling in love at first sight.
—Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
The Skippers handed Moorhead a prime opportunity to complete the comeback with its second penalty of the period, as Cameron Merrick was penalized for hooking.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
In California, prowling is a misdemeanor that can be penalized with up to six months in county jail or a fine of up to $1,000.
—Lucy Hodgman, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Mar. 2026
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
The match was in the balance at 22-18 in the last 10 minutes, before Braidon Burns was penalized for a high hit on Knights star Kalyn Ponga and was sent to the sin bin by referee Ashley Klein.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
If utilities don't deliver to the state's standards, they can be penalized.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalized
punished
Verb
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Authorities sent Iranians daily text messages warning that any protester would be severely punished for helping the enemy.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Mathys Tel set up Richarlison for two excellent opportunities that were not converted in the first half, but the Brazil international punished some poor Liverpool defending in the dying stages to earn Spurs’ first point under Igor Tudor.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalized. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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