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
Reuters 12 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The league is still honing its consistency with penalizing flopping, which can only add to the confusion Adelman mentioned when coaches are trying to ensure their players are in positions to play ball freely.
—James Jackson, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
While Beijing is bolstering production networks and investing in infrastructure in countries in Southeast Asia, Washington is penalizing those countries with punitive tariffs.
—Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
By addressing one of the most persistent inefficiencies in combination vehicles, Tesla could make towing more energy-efficient and less aerodynamically penalizing, reinforcing the Cybertruck’s reputation for pushing the boundaries of both style and functionality, reports Electrek.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
But there is no provision in the law penalizing states for doing that.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 2 Oct. 2025
Instead, the discussion has been moving toward new tax incentives — Newsom’s new bill doubling California’s annual tax credit program to $750 million a year, calls for a federal tax incentive for film and TV — and away from the idea of penalizing productions that shoot outside the country.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
But should the administration find a way—through tariffs or another mechanism—of penalizing productions that take place overseas, companies like Disney that have recently unveiled plans to invest in foreign productions could be significantly impacted.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
The sanctions, which will go into effect unless there’s a last-minute deal Friday, will include freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms deals with Tehran and penalizing any development of Iran’s ballistic missile program.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
Drugmakers have scaled them back due to criticism from lawmakers and new government policies, such as penalizing companies that charge Medicare program prices that rise faster than inflation.
—Reuters 12 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The league is still honing its consistency with penalizing flopping, which can only add to the confusion Adelman mentioned when coaches are trying to ensure their players are in positions to play ball freely.
—James Jackson, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
While Beijing is bolstering production networks and investing in infrastructure in countries in Southeast Asia, Washington is penalizing those countries with punitive tariffs.
—Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
By addressing one of the most persistent inefficiencies in combination vehicles, Tesla could make towing more energy-efficient and less aerodynamically penalizing, reinforcing the Cybertruck’s reputation for pushing the boundaries of both style and functionality, reports Electrek.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
But there is no provision in the law penalizing states for doing that.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 2 Oct. 2025
Instead, the discussion has been moving toward new tax incentives — Newsom’s new bill doubling California’s annual tax credit program to $750 million a year, calls for a federal tax incentive for film and TV — and away from the idea of penalizing productions that shoot outside the country.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
But should the administration find a way—through tariffs or another mechanism—of penalizing productions that take place overseas, companies like Disney that have recently unveiled plans to invest in foreign productions could be significantly impacted.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
The sanctions, which will go into effect unless there’s a last-minute deal Friday, will include freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms deals with Tehran and penalizing any development of Iran’s ballistic missile program.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
Adjective
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Miller was transferred out of the department's digital forensics unit in late 2024, though a former Fairfax County commander testified the reassignment was not punitive or disciplinary.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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The punitive Federal Reserve asset cap for past misdeeds was lifted back in June — so 2026 will represent the first full year that management can compete on a level playing field in core lending operations and in other business lines such as investment banking.—
Zev Fima,Matthew J. Belvedere,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Anyone who’s been judged, rejected, or ghosted for doing so knows how punishing that vulnerability can be.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
14 Jan. 2026
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More than two months ago, Israel and Hamas signed a cease-fire agreement that offered Palestinians in Gaza a hope of respite after a punishing two-year Israeli bombardment that left much of their enclave in ruins.—
Samuel Granados,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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