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
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
Without the ability to recognize their most valuable customers, brands risk unintentionally penalizing loyal shoppers with strict policies.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
While the federal government stopped penalizing Americans without health insurance in 2019, four states and Washington DC still do.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
The new bill prevents states and courts from penalizing pesticide manufacturers that do not include health warning labels beyond those required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
—Sarah Davis, The Hill, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Without the ability to recognize their most valuable customers, brands risk unintentionally penalizing loyal shoppers with strict policies.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
While the federal government stopped penalizing Americans without health insurance in 2019, four states and Washington DC still do.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
The new bill prevents states and courts from penalizing pesticide manufacturers that do not include health warning labels beyond those required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
—Sarah Davis, The Hill, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
Adjective
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The United States last year also blocked imports from a major South Korean salt farm accused of using slave labor, becoming the first trade partner to take punitive action against a decadeslong problem on salt farms in islands off the country’s southwest coast.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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At the same time, human-rights organizations reported repression inside the El Rodeo I prison, where foreign political detainees launched a protest that authorities allegedly responded to with tear gas and punitive measures.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Homelessness is punishing in itself without the fear of being fined or arrested simply for surviving outdoors.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Hathaway hurls herself into that punishing sequence with violent physical force and emotional rawness.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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