Synonyms

penalize

American

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

especially British, penalise

verb (used with object)

penalized, penalizing

to subject to a penalty, as a person.
to declare (an action, deed, etc.) punishable by law or rule.
to put under a disadvantage or handicap.

penalize British

/ ˈpiːnəˌlaɪz /

verb

to impose a penalty on (someone), as for breaking a law or rule
to inflict a handicap or disadvantage on
sport to award a free stroke, point, or penalty against (a player or team)
to declare (an act) legally punishable; make subject to a penalty

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Is it right to be “penalized” for not having children?

From MarketWatch

The companies contracted to carry out the review process will receive payments when they reduce costs and will be penalized for inappropriate denials, according to CMS.

From MarketWatch

China said it would penalize 20 U.S. defense companies and 10 executives, The Wall Street Journal reported.

From Barron's

If they are late, they could be penalized or lose points.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023