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
Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 25 Feb. 2026
More than 80 percent of Longchamp’s suppliers are rated via EcoVadis, and procurement teams work with lower-performing partners to drive improvements, rather than simply penalizing them.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
Several policy priorities followed from Miller’s long-standing fixations, such as denying immigrants work authorization while their legal cases were pending and penalizing applicants who used public benefits.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
And while last year’s budget bill tightened eligibility checks, the goal should’ve been stopping bad behavior, not penalizing consumers.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
The internet is already penalizing uncurated AI slop.
—Joe Toscano, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The suit claims that about 100 schools are left without these additional resources, penalizing them with larger class sizes and fewer opportunities to meet with teachers, among other drawbacks.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Far from unfairly penalizing longtime homeowners, state property tax laws do the exact opposite.
—Max Taves, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Both had a number of penalizing points assessed against their hunting privileges.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
The agency has rejected all as unfairly penalizing Arizona while demanding much less from upstream states in particular.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 25 Feb. 2026
More than 80 percent of Longchamp’s suppliers are rated via EcoVadis, and procurement teams work with lower-performing partners to drive improvements, rather than simply penalizing them.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
Several policy priorities followed from Miller’s long-standing fixations, such as denying immigrants work authorization while their legal cases were pending and penalizing applicants who used public benefits.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
And while last year’s budget bill tightened eligibility checks, the goal should’ve been stopping bad behavior, not penalizing consumers.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
The internet is already penalizing uncurated AI slop.
—Joe Toscano, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The suit claims that about 100 schools are left without these additional resources, penalizing them with larger class sizes and fewer opportunities to meet with teachers, among other drawbacks.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Far from unfairly penalizing longtime homeowners, state property tax laws do the exact opposite.
—Max Taves, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Both had a number of penalizing points assessed against their hunting privileges.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
Adjective
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Trump is known for taking punitive action.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
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Trump’s tariffs had upended global trade, leading to countries like Canada to recalibrate their economic partnerships in response to the punitive actions.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Roebuck finished with 29 points and was punishing the Wolverines with his strength driving and drawing fouls.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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The principal reportedly directed the activity to the school football field rather than punishing teens for walking out of classes.—
Jeffrey S. Solochek,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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