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

Some commenters on social media rose to Olive Oil Candidate’s defense, saying such an interest might be unconventional but a person shouldn’t be penalized for sharing it. —Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026

The legislation is among several bills filed this year that seek to penalize the Chiefs after team officials announced in December plans to leave Arrowhead Stadium for Kansas when their lease expires in 2031. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026

Focus on claim denials and regulate algorithmic pricing systems that redline and penalize Black and Brown communities. —Phara Souffrant Forrest, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026

Criminal contempt of Congress is a mechanism that the House or Senate can use to penalize a person for wilfully refusing to comply with a lawful or congressional subpoena. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 Feb. 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