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

Benzina's spot kick was awarded after a VAR check penalized Algeria’s Lana Smits for catching Sakina Ouzraoui in the face with a flailing arm. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Pittsburgh was flagged 11 times for 135 yards while the Packers were penalized nine times for 76 yards. — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Cunningham, who rushed at her in response and wound up to strike Carrington before being restrained by her teammates, was not penalized. — Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026

Choosing a lender that wouldn't penalize me for additional principal payments gave me that flexibility. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 12 Aug. 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