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

Wilson was not penalized for the hit, which appeared to be clean.

From Los Angeles Times

But his son was still penalized because, the parent said, he was not allowed to grant permission for his son retroactively.

From Los Angeles Times

Federal and state agencies also must be empowered with the resources to penalize bait-and-switch tactics swiftly.

From MarketWatch

The White House and Treasury, with strong support from Congress, have done important work to ensure that the Pillar 2 framework doesn’t unfairly penalize the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

It decided that skaters would no longer be penalized for a backflip—but they wouldn’t be particularly rewarded for one either.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• castigate
• chastise
• discipline
• fine