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

Department of Justice has lent its support to a religious nonprofit that was penalized and threatened with criminal prosecution by the Southern California city of Santa Ana for feeding homeless people.

From Seattle Times

An Orange County religious nonprofit that was penalized and threatened with criminal prosecution by Santa Ana for feeding homeless people now has the support of the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

In the lawsuit filed this week, the Florida Education Association said the bill discriminates against teacher’s unions on political grounds and thus runs afoul of the First Amendment by penalizing political speech.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• castigate
• chastise
• discipline
• fine