penalize

American  

[peen-l-ahyz, pen-] / ˈpin lˌaɪz, ˈpɛn- /

especially British, penalise

verb (used with object)

penalized, penalizing

1. to subject to a penalty, as a person.

2. to declare (an action, deed, etc.) punishable by law or rule.

3. to put under a disadvantage or handicap.

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penalize British  

/ ˈpiːnəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to impose a penalty on (someone), as for breaking a law or rule

2. to inflict a handicap or disadvantage on

3. sport to award a free stroke, point, or penalty against (a player or team)

4. to declare (an act) legally punishable; make subject to a penalty

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Other Word Forms

• nonpenalized adjective
• overpenalization noun
• overpenalize verb (used with object)
• penalizable adjective
• penalization noun
• repenalize verb (used with object)
• unpenalized adjective

Etymology

Origin of penalize

First recorded in 1865–70; penal + -ize

Example Sentences

Such an education won’t discourage or penalize students who dissent from a professor’s perspective or from views dominant on the campus.

From The Wall Street Journal

But on third down the Rams were penalized for delay of game.

From Los Angeles Times

Duffy said Tuesday in an interview with Fox News that some employees may be penalized for calling out of work during the shutdown.

From The Wall Street Journal

He promises his constituents to protect Montana’s clean air, water, and pristine forests by canceling airport and real estate development funding and penalizing non-residents with additional taxation.

From Salon

The president has implied that he will penalize the city if voters choose Mamdani.

From BBC

Related Words

• castigate
• chastise
• discipline
• fine