as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
forced to listen to a penalizing lecture on the consequences of lying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of penalizing
Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The focus should be on solving the underlying issue, not penalizing the people doing the work.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Assuming otherwise undermines patient safety while penalizing the professionals who care for the most vulnerable patients.
—Dr. John Guzzi, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
But opposition to the new flag recently led exasperated Democratic legislators, hoping to make a point, to propose a last-minute bill penalizing cities that opted for the former flag.
—Jeremy Fugleberg, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
That same year, Newsom signed legislation aimed at penalizing oil companies for excessive refinery profits and price gouging at the pump.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 23 May 2026
The administration first proposed penalizing states with AI safety regulations without any federal substitute.
—Sam Liccardo, Washington Post, 22 May 2026
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
Verb
As a result, many workplaces reward women who are pleasant while penalizing those who are direct.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The focus should be on solving the underlying issue, not penalizing the people doing the work.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Assuming otherwise undermines patient safety while penalizing the professionals who care for the most vulnerable patients.
—Dr. John Guzzi, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
But opposition to the new flag recently led exasperated Democratic legislators, hoping to make a point, to propose a last-minute bill penalizing cities that opted for the former flag.
—Jeremy Fugleberg, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
That same year, Newsom signed legislation aimed at penalizing oil companies for excessive refinery profits and price gouging at the pump.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 23 May 2026
The administration first proposed penalizing states with AI safety regulations without any federal substitute.
—Sam Liccardo, Washington Post, 22 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
Adjective
-
Borrowing becomes less punitive.—
Richard Polgar,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Jurors decided that Grossman acted with malice and oppression and Erickson acted with malice, oppression, or fraud, kicking off the punitive phase of the trial.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Curry granted the young man a preliminary injunction that prevents NCAA brass from punishing Sorsby for violating — again, repeatedly — its rules on sports betting.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
-
Sorsby’s attorneys argued that the NCAA was punishing the quarterback for his mental health condition and suggested that the ruling prevented him from making an informed decision about entering the 2026 NFL supplemental draft.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
