as in to punish
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
the player was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct
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Recent Examples of penalize
The results are both dangerous and absurd: Germany sued for regulating coal pollution; Australia targeted for tobacco controls; Central American countries penalized for protecting their water.
—
Nathalie Kelley, Time, 17 June 2025
But a more jaundiced government, like the one currently led by Trump, might be tempted to penalize India for this behavior.
—Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
This approach penalizes employees whose peak contributions occurred months before the review cycle and rewards those who happened to excel just before evaluation time.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
The bill, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, would have barred and penalized the distribution or purchase of consumable hemp products that contain any cannabinoid other than CBD or CBG, which do not produce a high.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalize
Nathalie Kelley, Time, 17 June 2025
But a more jaundiced government, like the one currently led by Trump, might be tempted to penalize India for this behavior.
—Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
This approach penalizes employees whose peak contributions occurred months before the review cycle and rewards those who happened to excel just before evaluation time.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
The bill, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, would have barred and penalized the distribution or purchase of consumable hemp products that contain any cannabinoid other than CBD or CBG, which do not produce a high.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalize
punish
Verb
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This punishes exposure but doesn’t reward preparedness.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Świątek, 24, took an early lead in the competition, and continued at a punishing pace to secure a 6-0, 6-0 win in less than an hour of gameplay.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalize. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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