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

They are being penalized for their weak non-conference schedule, which KenPom ranked 362nd out of 365 Division I teams and included three games against Division II opponents. —Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The bill would allow insurers to be penalized for violations, charged administrative fees of up to $10,000 per violation, and lose their licenses to sell insurance. —Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026

The Federal Trade Commission has penalized firms for unlawfully selling sensitive location information. —Nicole M. Bennett, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026

Far from unfairly penalizing longtime homeowners, state property tax laws do the exact opposite. —Max Taves, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for penalize

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

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