PENALIZING Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

penalizing 1 of 2

adjective

as in punitive

inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment forced to listen to a penalizing lecture on the consequences of lying

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

penalizing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of penalize

as in punishing

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

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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

Adjective

Beginning in 2026, the rules surrounding deducting losses become even more penalizing. — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Verb

Miami seized the win by playing a disciplined brand of football for the first time, not penalizing themselves in critical moments. — Omar Kelly october 25, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026 The terms of the injunction prevent the NCAA from penalizing Council for playing, or KU for playing him. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026 The committee said its investigation would continue as lawmakers consider legislation aimed at penalizing sanctuary jurisdictions and increasing cooperation with federal immigration authorities. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026 And finally, Colorado passed a law prohibiting Xcel Energy from penalizing or charging customers who want to end their natural gas service completely. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026 New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have introduced or passed legislation penalizing the practice and requiring employers to disclose hiring timelines or remove filled postings, while Texas has opened its own investigation into a major job board. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026 According to attorneys representing the players, the injunction allows the plaintiffs to compete during the upcoming season and prevents the NCAA from penalizing schools or coaches for putting them on their rosters. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, aims to hurt Russia’s war effort in Ukraine by penalizing purchasers of Russian oil and Russian leaders. — Irit Skulnik, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 Without human oversight, AI can end up penalizing the very communities most vulnerable to the hateful content the systems are designed to combat. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing

Adjective

In recent years, affirmative litigation has become an essential tool for defending against punitive federal policy and recovering public funds, Pines and others said.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Trump has slapped tariffs on the Brazilian economy and punitive sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, the chief justice most heavily involved in the prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of punitive

Verb

The course is august and sweeping, with long straights and punishing curves, framed by the tall pine trees of a former royal park.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
In addition to punishing women who seek the priesthood, the Catholic Church has also sanctioned male clergy who support those ordinations.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of punishing

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penalizes

penalizing

penalties

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

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Synonyms of penalizing

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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