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

But legislators included a provision in the state budget in July that threatened to penalize any jurisdiction that voted against the project. — Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026

Voters sometimes hesitate to penalize a team that wins, but Michigan was going to drop off Asmussen's ballot regardless. — CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

The comments from Beijing came days after France started applying its anti-ultra-fast fashion law, which penalizes each item between 25 cents and 12 euros (over $13). — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

However, that’s up to the discretion of the officials, and when Rothenberg asked the USTA if Serena and Venus would face a fee, the association said they will not be penalized for Friday’s media absence. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 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