as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
forced to listen to a penalizing lecture on the consequences of lying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 penalizing
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
In addition to penalizing mixed-status families, advocates say the rule has other problems.
—Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Under the law, homes are revalued when they are being sold, often raising property taxes substantially — effectively penalizing new homebuyers.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The proposal would block states from regulating how models are developed and from penalizing companies for downstream uses of their AI.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
The result is a policy framework that favors costly urban rental housing while penalizing homes built in the regions where most Californians actually live and work.
—Jennifer Hernandez, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Locally, this transformation has been more controversial, especially among her political opponents and suburbanites who have criticized her for penalizing drivers.
—Marie Patino, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
In addition to penalizing mixed-status families, advocates say the rule has other problems.
—Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Under the law, homes are revalued when they are being sold, often raising property taxes substantially — effectively penalizing new homebuyers.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The proposal would block states from regulating how models are developed and from penalizing companies for downstream uses of their AI.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
The result is a policy framework that favors costly urban rental housing while penalizing homes built in the regions where most Californians actually live and work.
—Jennifer Hernandez, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Locally, this transformation has been more controversial, especially among her political opponents and suburbanites who have criticized her for penalizing drivers.
—Marie Patino, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
Adjective
-
Before Marseille’s 1-0 win at Le Havre last weekend, the squad were confined to the club’s La Commanderie training base for four consecutive days as a punitive measure after a succession of poor performances.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Angola does not plan to pursue punitive measures against mining companies such as export quotas or bans in order to bolster its domestic mining industry, a senior minerals minister said.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
That administration established political control over key judicial institutions by stacking higher courts with friendly judges and punishing its critics with disciplinary action or assignments to faraway locations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
-
However, beneath the surface, Cramer said the market has become increasingly bifurcated, with investors piling into a narrow group of artificial intelligence winners while severely punishing companies that disappoint or simply fail to impress.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
