penalize
Americanverb (used with object)
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to subject to a penalty, as a person.
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to declare (an action, deed, etc.) punishable by law or rule.
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to put under a disadvantage or handicap.
verb
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to impose a penalty on (someone), as for breaking a law or rule
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to inflict a handicap or disadvantage on
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sport to award a free stroke, point, or penalty against (a player or team)
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to declare (an act) legally punishable; make subject to a penalty
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
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.
A drive that seemingly ended with an incomplete pass on third down was kept alive when Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen was penalized for taunting.
From Los Angeles Times
The suit claims that about 100 schools are left without these additional resources, penalizing them with larger class sizes and fewer opportunities to meet with teachers, among other drawbacks.
From Los Angeles Times
They’re one of the least penalized teams in the country and hardly ever commit turnovers.
The least penalized team in the last five years committed 83 yards worth of penalties.
From Los Angeles Times
On the ensuing possession, Adams went to the medical tent after being hit by Panthers safety Nick Scott, who was penalized for unnecessary roughness.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
