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

• penalizable adjective
• penalization noun
• 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

Initially, the U.S. levied a penalty tariff of 25% on India for its purchases of Russian oil but didn’t penalize China even though it’s the biggest buyer of Russian oil.

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Twelve Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia have sued to block the cuts, arguing that the new formula effectively penalizes jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

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Federal funds could be used to incentivize—or penalize—localities where housing supply doesn’t meet demand.

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Federal funds could be used to incentivize—or penalize—localities where housing supply doesn’t meet demand.

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GOP lawmakers have even proposed legislation to penalize municipalities that dropped Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

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Related Words

• castigate 
• chastise 
• discipline 
• fine