penalize

1 of 2

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

penalization

2 of 2

noun

pe·​nal·​iza·​tion

variants also British penalisation

ˌpēnᵊlə̇ˈzāshən, 

ˌpen-, 

-ᵊlˌīˈ-

plural -s

1

: the act of penalizing

2

: the state of being penalized

Synonyms of penalize

Verb

• punish

Examples of penalize in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

During Texas' 20-17 win, Simmons was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for mimicking urinating on the field after one of his school-record 5 1/2 sacks. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

The terms of the injunction as ordered by the judge prevent the NCAA from penalizing Council or any program that elects to add him to the roster, the judge wrote. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

Last year, the Federal Trade Commission penalized General Motors for illegally collecting and selling precise location and driving behavior data without informed consent. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 29 Sep. 2026

With no salary cap, MLB has used a Competitive Balance Tax since 1997 to financially penalize teams that go over a set spending amount each season ($244 million in 2026). — Molly Geary, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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