penalize

especially British, pe·nal·ise

[peen-l-ahyz, pen-]

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.

penalize

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• penalization noun
• penalizable adjective
• nonpenalized adjective
• overpenalization noun
• overpenalize verb (used with object)
• repenalize verb (used with object)
• unpenalized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of penalize¹

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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But on third down the Rams were penalized for delay of game.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Duffy said Tuesday in an interview with Fox News that some employees may be penalized for calling out of work during the shutdown.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He promises his constituents to protect Montana’s clean air, water, and pristine forests by canceling airport and real estate development funding and penalizing non-residents with additional taxation.

Read more on Salon

The president has implied that he will penalize the city if voters choose Mamdani.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• castigate 
• chastise 
• discipline 
• fine