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
Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 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
Lively demanded a sweeping financial judgment that includes attorneys’ fees, triple damages for alleged harm and punitive damages aimed at penalizing what her attorneys described as an abuse of the legal system.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 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
-
Still employed, but no raise The mayor’s colleagues wisely rejected that punitive step, and commissioners Steve Glassman and John Herbst then joined the mayor in rejecting a 3% merit pay raise for Williams.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
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His persistence in teaching, even under Lomax’s punitive schedules, shows his resilience.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Trump largely succeeded in punishing the Indiana lawmakers who opposed his redistricting plan last year.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
6 May 2026
-
Anunoby kept punishing that choice.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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