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

Last month, the company was granted special permission from Commerce to continue importing cells from Asian suppliers without being penalized for stockpiling ahead of the 232 deadline. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2026

Canadiens forward Cole Caufield was penalized for slashing as Quinn Hughes’ stick broke in the corner, sending Minnesota on the power play with 56 seconds remaining in regulation. — ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

Barclay Goodrow received a penalty for fighting Mitchell Chaffee, and Ty Dellandrea was penalized for fighting Kyle MacLean. — CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

But he was penalized for lining up offsides, and Arizona used the penalty to produce a scoring drive and go up 10-0. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 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