Synonyms of penalizing

penalizing 1 of 2

adjective

as in punitive

inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment

forced to listen to a penalizing lecture on the consequences of lying

Synonyms & Similar Words

• punitive
• correcting
• correctional
• penal
• disciplining
• disciplinary
• corrective
• chastising
• castigating
• chastening
• retaliatory
• retributive
• revengeful
• vengeful
• retaliative
• wrathful
• retributory

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compensatory
• nonpunitive
• vindicating
• exculpatory
• exonerating
• exculpating
• remitting
• condoning
• pardoning
• absolving
• commuting
• acquitting
• reprieving

penalizing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of penalize

as in punishing

to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime

the player was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct

Synonyms & Similar Words

• punishing
• fining
• disciplining
• criticizing
• correcting
• chastising
• castigating
• imposing
• assessing
• sentencing
• chastening
• convicting
• levying
• condemning
• charging
• denouncing
• docking
• reprimanding
• mulcting
• rebuking
• reproving
• wreaking
• damning
• keelhauling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• excusing
• sparing
• pardoning
• forfeiting
• releasing
• getting off
• commuting
• ransoming
• vindicating
• exonerating
• absolving
• acquitting
• exculpating
• reprieving

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of penalizing

Adjective

Beginning in 2026, the rules surrounding deducting losses become even more penalizing. — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Verb

The committee said its investigation would continue as lawmakers consider legislation aimed at penalizing sanctuary jurisdictions and increasing cooperation with federal immigration authorities. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

The terms of the injunction as ordered by the judge prevent the NCAA from penalizing Council or any program that elects to add him to the roster, the judge wrote. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

And finally, Colorado passed a law prohibiting Xcel Energy from penalizing or charging customers who want to end their natural gas service completely. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026

New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have introduced or passed legislation penalizing the practice and requiring employers to disclose hiring timelines or remove filled postings, while Texas has opened its own investigation into a major job board. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026

According to attorneys representing the players, the injunction allows the plaintiffs to compete during the upcoming season and prevents the NCAA from penalizing schools or coaches for putting them on their rosters. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, aims to hurt Russia’s war effort in Ukraine by penalizing purchasers of Russian oil and Russian leaders. — Irit Skulnik, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Without human oversight, AI can end up penalizing the very communities most vulnerable to the hateful content the systems are designed to combat. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

Traditional lenders remain hesitant about self-employment income, often ignoring or penalizing applicants whose taxable net returns don't reflect their actual cash flow, despite gig workers diversifying their risk through multiple income streams. — Efri Argaman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026