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 of penalize

• 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

Serious breaches should be, and generally are, severely penalized. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 16 July 2026

Royal Melbourne was a week after Reed was penalized for improving his lie in the sand, and Aussies heckled him endlessly. — ABC News, 14 July 2026

StubHub proceeded to cancel four of Gutierrez’s sales, including two tickets to the World Cup Final for $54,000, and penalize him more than $23,000 for incomplete transactions. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Because they were penalized 10 spots in the draft for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for penalize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

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