as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
forced to listen to a penalizing lecture on the consequences of lying
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in punishing
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
the player was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penalizing
Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Assuming otherwise undermines patient safety while penalizing the professionals who care for the most vulnerable patients.
—Dr. John Guzzi, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
But opposition to the new flag recently led exasperated Democratic legislators, hoping to make a point, to propose a last-minute bill penalizing cities that opted for the former flag.
—Jeremy Fugleberg, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
That same year, Newsom signed legislation aimed at penalizing oil companies for excessive refinery profits and price gouging at the pump.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 23 May 2026
The administration first proposed penalizing states with AI safety regulations without any federal substitute.
—Sam Liccardo, Washington Post, 22 May 2026
Investors began penalizing layoff announcements rather than rewarding them.
—Julie Averill, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Lively demanded a sweeping financial judgment that includes attorneys’ fees, triple damages for alleged harm and punitive damages aimed at penalizing what her attorneys described as an abuse of the legal system.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
The goal, the bill’s supporters said, is to support local governments that are trying to build more housing and need the program’s funds to do it — without penalizing them for failing to hit targets that those governments have criticized since the program was created.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
The focus should be on solving the underlying issue, not penalizing the people doing the work.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Assuming otherwise undermines patient safety while penalizing the professionals who care for the most vulnerable patients.
—Dr. John Guzzi, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
But opposition to the new flag recently led exasperated Democratic legislators, hoping to make a point, to propose a last-minute bill penalizing cities that opted for the former flag.
—Jeremy Fugleberg, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
That same year, Newsom signed legislation aimed at penalizing oil companies for excessive refinery profits and price gouging at the pump.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 23 May 2026
The administration first proposed penalizing states with AI safety regulations without any federal substitute.
—Sam Liccardo, Washington Post, 22 May 2026
Investors began penalizing layoff announcements rather than rewarding them.
—Julie Averill, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Lively demanded a sweeping financial judgment that includes attorneys’ fees, triple damages for alleged harm and punitive damages aimed at penalizing what her attorneys described as an abuse of the legal system.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
The goal, the bill’s supporters said, is to support local governments that are trying to build more housing and need the program’s funds to do it — without penalizing them for failing to hit targets that those governments have criticized since the program was created.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
Adjective
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His erratic, punitive and ultimately unconstitutional approach to tariffs has resulted in an economic mess of payouts to farmers and reimbursements.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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The police department ordinarily aims to defer disciplinary issues at schools to staff for resolution rather than taking punitive action, Pieritz said.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Raphael remembers a father who worked punishing hours, something 24 to 28 hours at a time.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
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Terr hopes that the settlements reached thus far will deter officials from firing or punishing employees for their speech moving forward, despite political pressure or online outrage.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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