penalize
verb (used with object)
to subject to a penalty, as a person.
penalizing
-
present participleof penalize.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Notably, the measures announced stopped short of directly penalizing China, the main buyer of Iranian oil, a move that would have risked stoking tensions between the world’s two biggest economies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
“Meta still has the most call optionality, where the market is penalizing them for the spend and not giving them credit for potential revenue from the spend,” he wrote.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026
In California, Attorney General Rob Bonta unveiled the first settlement for violating the new law, penalizing Aspen Dental Management, which is backed by asset managers Leonard Green & Partners and Ares Management.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026
The Justice Department has its own process for investigating and penalizing its lawyers accused of violating ethics, but that is not a substitute for state bar investigations and punishments.
From Slate ● Mar. 6, 2026
The captain and referee may disqualify for one game; but to make it permanent penalizing, the matter must be brought before Miss Watson.
From Hester's Counterpart A Story of Boarding School Life by Adele W. Jones
