penalize

verb

pe·​nal·​ize ˈpē-nə-ˌlīz  ˈpe- 

penalized; penalizing

transitive verb

1

: to inflict a penalty on

2

: to put at a serious disadvantage

penalization

ˈpē-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• castigate
• chasten
• chastise
• correct
• discipline
• punish

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

But—aside from being a logistic nightmare for management—that isn’t necessarily a bad thing: With employee stress and burnout rapidly on the rise and mothers still heavily penalized by traditional working norms, having a generation that’s demanding more balance from work may benefit all. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 30 May 2024

Manhattan prosecutors won't be penalized for a last-minute document dump that caused former President Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial to start later than scheduled, a judge ruled Thursday. —CBS News, 23 May 2024

For example, there aren’t yet protections in place to keep insurance companies or employers from penalizing users based on data collected. —IEEE Spectrum, 19 May 2024

Desperate for a solution, Ohio’s leaders passed a law penalizing any group of three or more that commits a crime while masked. —Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 15 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

penalize

verb

pe·​nal·​ize ˈpēn-ᵊl-ˌīz  ˈpen- 

penalized; penalizing

1

: to give a penalty to

2

: to place at a disadvantage