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
Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
That delay reflects the high stakes and complex constitutional questions surrounding the case, which has been viewed as a test of how far state officials can go in penalizing corporate misconduct.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Ohio lawmakers debated everything from home grow restrictions to penalizing passengers who smoke in the car.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 17 Aug. 2025
The fairway bunkers are quite penalizing with the big lips.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
Governments typically only make money when penalizing those who break the rules.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
Flexibility alone isn’t enough—promotion criteria must avoid penalizing remote or hybrid workers and career pathways should accommodate different life and caregiving stages without stalling advancement.
—Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
That delay reflects the high stakes and complex constitutional questions surrounding the case, which has been viewed as a test of how far state officials can go in penalizing corporate misconduct.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Ohio lawmakers debated everything from home grow restrictions to penalizing passengers who smoke in the car.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 17 Aug. 2025
The fairway bunkers are quite penalizing with the big lips.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
Governments typically only make money when penalizing those who break the rules.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
Adjective
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The effort to deal with the emerging humanitarian crisis, officials say, was complicated by a president who felt a deep responsibility to Israel and its security, and the question of whether or not to openly confront Israel or use punitive measures, like withholding military aid.—
Tom Bowman,
NPR,
28 Aug. 2025
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Through Angela, Fauset crafts an incisive exploration of racial performance, autonomy, and the often punitive structures of desire.—
Glory Edim
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To me, more pragmatism means moving away from the corrupt, capricious policies of the current administration, such as crony capitalism that imposes bogus tariffs on free trade, punishing leaders and countries the president dislikes while favoring those who flatter him.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Over the course of five months spanning from floods to extreme drought, an elite team of wildlife cinematographers capture unparalleled animal behavior using state-of-the-art thermal cameras and drone technology, filming 24/7 across punishing terrain.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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