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
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Recent Examples of penalizing
FOXNews.com, 1 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
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
Verb
Continue reading … ‘INSANE’ — Minnesota mayors drag 'ridiculous' bill penalizing cities for not flying new controversial flag.
—FOXNews.com, 1 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
Adjective
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The union picked up $50,000 from United Teachers Los Angeles and another $50,000 from Smart Justice California, a group focused on less punitive public safety strategies.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
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And consequences shouldn’t be punitive.—
Krista Spurgin,
Denver Post,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Those tensions hit a new high when Reuters published an internal Defense Department email last week that proposed punishing Britain for its position on Iran by reviewing America’s position on the Falkland Islands.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
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None of that requires punishing him with a public flogging.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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