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

Doing so would penalize some software companies for expenses that may not end up materializing to such an extreme degree, he added.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 21, 2026

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 • Feb. 11, 2026

When states tried in the 1970s and 1980s to penalize outlets that identified victims using names that had already appeared in court documents or police reports, the court said those punishments violated the First Amendment.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2025

A tax-law change in 2027 will penalize owners of public sports teams, which could pressure the company to consider a sale.

From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025

I hurry toward the Parker House, hoping I can get downtown and into the kitchen before they notice me missing and penalize me for being late.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

Related Words

• castigate
• chastise
• discipline
• fine