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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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
  • The absolute yield level isn’t broadly punitive yet to big companies.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Jurors awarded $6 million in damages ($3 million compensatory and $3 million punitive) to a 20-year-old woman whose compulsive childhood use of Instagram and YouTube exacerbated her severe depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia.
    — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of punitive
Verb
  • If the teams refuse to enroll the players who benefit from the TRO, those players could petition Hoffman to clarify that his order also blocks the SEC from punishing schools.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Tristan described life at the Federal Detention Center as physically and psychologically punishing.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of punishing

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penalizing
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Cite this Entry

“Penalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalizing. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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