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
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
But there is no provision in the law penalizing states for doing that.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 2 Oct. 2025
Instead, the discussion has been moving toward new tax incentives — Newsom’s new bill doubling California’s annual tax credit program to $750 million a year, calls for a federal tax incentive for film and TV — and away from the idea of penalizing productions that shoot outside the country.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
But should the administration find a way—through tariffs or another mechanism—of penalizing productions that take place overseas, companies like Disney that have recently unveiled plans to invest in foreign productions could be significantly impacted.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
The sanctions, which will go into effect unless there’s a last-minute deal Friday, will include freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms deals with Tehran and penalizing any development of Iran’s ballistic missile program.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Flexibility alone isn’t enough—promotion criteria must avoid penalizing remote or hybrid workers and career pathways should accommodate different life and caregiving stages without stalling advancement.
—Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Ohio lawmakers debated everything from home grow restrictions to penalizing passengers who smoke in the car.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 17 Aug. 2025
The fairway bunkers are quite penalizing with the big lips.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
By addressing one of the most persistent inefficiencies in combination vehicles, Tesla could make towing more energy-efficient and less aerodynamically penalizing, reinforcing the Cybertruck’s reputation for pushing the boundaries of both style and functionality, reports Electrek.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
But there is no provision in the law penalizing states for doing that.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 2 Oct. 2025
Instead, the discussion has been moving toward new tax incentives — Newsom’s new bill doubling California’s annual tax credit program to $750 million a year, calls for a federal tax incentive for film and TV — and away from the idea of penalizing productions that shoot outside the country.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
But should the administration find a way—through tariffs or another mechanism—of penalizing productions that take place overseas, companies like Disney that have recently unveiled plans to invest in foreign productions could be significantly impacted.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
The sanctions, which will go into effect unless there’s a last-minute deal Friday, will include freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms deals with Tehran and penalizing any development of Iran’s ballistic missile program.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Flexibility alone isn’t enough—promotion criteria must avoid penalizing remote or hybrid workers and career pathways should accommodate different life and caregiving stages without stalling advancement.
—Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Ohio lawmakers debated everything from home grow restrictions to penalizing passengers who smoke in the car.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 17 Aug. 2025
The fairway bunkers are quite penalizing with the big lips.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
Adjective
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His legal team condemned the plan as unconstitutional and punitive, warning that without assurances from Liberia, Abrego Garcia could be sent back to El Salvador.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Professional development for teachers focuses on positive, rather than punitive, behavioral and engagement practices.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The fact that the NBA cleared Rozier at the time does not mean the league is prevented from punishing him later.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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Authoritarian approaches to governing rely on scapegoating people, policing thought and speech, and punishing dissent.—
Elizabeth Anne Wood,
The Conversation,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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