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
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
Drugmakers have scaled them back due to criticism from lawmakers and new government policies, such as penalizing companies that charge Medicare program prices that rise faster than inflation.
—Reuters 12 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The league is still honing its consistency with penalizing flopping, which can only add to the confusion Adelman mentioned when coaches are trying to ensure their players are in positions to play ball freely.
—James Jackson, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The department, in initially penalizing Southwest, cited its failure to provide prompt or proper refunds, prompt flight status notifications and adequate customer assistance after winter storms caused flight disruptions in December 2022 and January 2023.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 8 Dec. 2025
While Beijing is bolstering production networks and investing in infrastructure in countries in Southeast Asia, Washington is penalizing those countries with punitive tariffs.
—Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
Drugmakers have scaled them back due to criticism from lawmakers and new government policies, such as penalizing companies that charge Medicare program prices that rise faster than inflation.
—Reuters 12 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The league is still honing its consistency with penalizing flopping, which can only add to the confusion Adelman mentioned when coaches are trying to ensure their players are in positions to play ball freely.
—James Jackson, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The department, in initially penalizing Southwest, cited its failure to provide prompt or proper refunds, prompt flight status notifications and adequate customer assistance after winter storms caused flight disruptions in December 2022 and January 2023.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 8 Dec. 2025
While Beijing is bolstering production networks and investing in infrastructure in countries in Southeast Asia, Washington is penalizing those countries with punitive tariffs.
—Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
Adjective
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To retain Watson and stay out of the most punitive payroll territory, the NBA’s second apron, other salary-shedding trades would be required.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
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The Heat will have the wherewithal to add two players at the NBA veteran minimum and still remain below the punitive NBA luxury tax, from what should be a robust market of available players, with several involved in deadline deals already in the process of being waived.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Today, Americans face a punishing one-two combination of high car prices and expensive borrowing rates.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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There were some really interesting things happening where this is getting rolled into health curriculum and addressing this just like any other risky behavior and educating kids instead of punishing them or threatening them.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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