penalize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to subject to a penalty, as a person.
-
to declare (an action, deed, etc.) punishable by law or rule.
-
to put under a disadvantage or handicap.
verb
-
to impose a penalty on (someone), as for breaking a law or rule
-
to inflict a handicap or disadvantage on
-
sport to award a free stroke, point, or penalty against (a player or team)
-
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
Explanation
When you penalize someone, you punish them. A traffic cop will usually penalize a speeder with an expensive ticket. A court might penalize a criminal with fines or time in prison, while a frustrated teacher is more likely to penalize the class clown with detention. Sports referees frequently penalize players by allowing the opposing team an advantage of some sort, like a penalty kick in soccer or a free throw in basketball. Penalize is rooted in penal, or "pertaining to punishment." The Greek root is poine, "penalty, punishment, or blood money."
Vocabulary lists containing penalize
Game Changer
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964), List 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
Federal and state agencies also must be empowered with the resources to penalize bait-and-switch tactics swiftly.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026
The White House and Treasury, with strong support from Congress, have done important work to ensure that the Pillar 2 framework doesn’t unfairly penalize the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026
China said it would penalize 20 U.S. defense companies and 10 executives, The Wall Street Journal reported.
From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025
Scrabeck said she’s made agreements with students with long commutes and doesn’t penalize them for tardiness.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025
“I own the original patent for making patent leather, ” Fletcher said in a patent lie. penalize.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
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.
