penalize

verb

pe·​nal·​ize ˈpē-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce penalize (audio) ˈpe- How to pronounce penalize (audio)
penalized; penalizing
Synonyms of penalizenext

transitive verb

1
: to inflict a penalty on
2
: to put at a serious disadvantage
penalization noun

Synonyms of penalize

Examples of penalize in a Sentence

The company was penalized for not paying taxes. The hockey player was penalized for holding. This law would unfairly penalize immigrants.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The team was penalized $25,000 for failing to accurately disclose the game-day availability status of Anthony Black prior to the Magic’s contest against the Pistons on Monday, the league said. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026 The league, in its internal evaluations, did not penalize the umps for calling pitches a strike that missed the plate but hit the buffer zone. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 The bill also targets and penalizes repair shops that modify exhaust systems to exceed legal noise levels. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026 When both Chicago and Illinois have significantly lagged the nation as a whole in terms of economic growth, there are few tax ideas more counterproductive than penalizing big companies for employing people within a city’s boundaries. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for penalize

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of penalize was in 1888

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Cite this Entry

“Penalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penalize. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

penalize

verb
pe·​nal·​ize ˈpēn-ᵊl-ˌīz How to pronounce penalize (audio) ˈpen- How to pronounce penalize (audio)
penalized; penalizing
1
: to give a penalty to
2
: to place at a disadvantage

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