PENALIZED Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

penalized

verb

past tense of penalize

as in punished

to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime the player was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 penalized Franklin, meanwhile, was not initially penalized following the play. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Despite the win, the Panthers were heavily penalized, recording the most penalty yards in a single game in franchise history. — Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026 Players will be penalized for attempting to push off or otherwise use their off arm to create space. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Some people can’t afford to miss a shift; others worry they’ll be penalized for calling out. — Angela Haupt, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 Under California law, businesses with liquor licenses can be penalized for allowing underage people inside. — Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 California's governor last week vetoed legislation that would have penalized the use of smart glasses to record people without their permission in places like changing rooms, doctor’s offices and other spaces people generally consider private. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 California’s governor last week vetoed legislation that would have penalized the use of smart glasses to record people without their permission in places like changing rooms, doctor’s offices and other spaces people generally consider private. — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 The Jaguars’ 13-3 halftime advantage would’ve been bigger if not for the team’s most penalized half of the season. — Zak Keefer, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalized

punished

Verb

Cam Skattebo was surprisingly punished for his fumbling issues, but there is precedence in John Harbaugh’s coaching history.

— Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Settler violence has surged in recent years, and rights groups say that attackers are rarely arrested or punished for attacks on Palestinians.

— Koral Saeed, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of punished

Browse Nearby Words

penalize

penalized

penalizes

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Penalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalized. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of penalized

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes