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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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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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
Adjective
Beginning in 2026, the rules surrounding deducting losses become even more penalizing. — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
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 Traditional lenders remain hesitant about self-employment income, often ignoring or penalizing applicants whose taxable net returns don't reflect their actual cash flow, despite gig workers diversifying their risk through multiple income streams. — Efri Argaman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 For example, the European Union’s Digital Services Act and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act establish regulatory frameworks for penalizing platforms that fail to address risks to minors. — Andrew Yockey, The Conversation, 24 July 2026 The government keeps bank interest rates low to support corporate borrowers, penalizing depositors. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 21 July 2026 Cell phones in work zones Senate Bill 366 cracks down on distracted driving by penalizing motorists who use cell phones in construction and school zones. — Matthew Kelly july 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 The sheriff’s office said the incidents in question proved that internal checks strengthened by court orders were working properly, and that the monitor was penalizing the department for following those orders and policies. — Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalizing
  1. punitive
  2. punishing
Adjective
  • Trump’s treatment of South Korea is not unique, having taken punitive measures against a slew of allies who refused to back his invasion of Iran.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The bill, which would ban homeless encampments statewide, could add more punitive measures to enforcement against unsheltered homelessness in Charlotte.
    — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of punitive
Verb
  • Iran has weathered near-continuous, punishing economic sanctions for nearly 50 years, since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The punishing financial verdicts against Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems, in recent years have forced him into bankruptcy, led to some of his personal property being put up for auction and led to him leaving his Infowars platform.
    — Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of punishing

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Cite this Entry

“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on penalizing

Nglish: Translation of penalizing for Spanish Speakers

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