penalize

verb

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

transitive verb

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

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.
This approach penalizes employees whose peak contributions occurred months before the review cycle and rewards those who happened to excel just before evaluation time. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 The bill, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, would have barred and penalized the distribution or purchase of consumable hemp products that contain any cannabinoid other than CBD or CBG, which do not produce a high. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act backed by President Donald Trump, as passed by the House of Representatives, would add work requirements to Medicaid, increase the cost of health insurance on the individual marketplace and penalize states that cover undocumented immigrants, among other provisions. Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 22 June 2025 Rules about Greenlandic children born out of wedlock strongly penalized children with unmarried parents. Morten Høi Jensen, The Dial, 19 June 2025 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 30 Jun. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on penalize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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