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

Dustin Sternbeck, a D.C. police spokesman, said the agency has dealt with bomb threats and swatting calls aimed at local schools and worked to identify and penalize the callers.

From Washington Post

She said she hoped for a fair hearing on the gun storage measure, which would penalize gun owners for not locking up their firearms in cars or boats or reporting them stolen.

From Washington Post

Gas price law: Newsom signed a new law that gives state regulators the power to penalize oil companies for making too much money, The Associated Press reports.

From New York Times

Related Words

• castigate
• chastise
• discipline
• fine