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

There’s always the opportunity to spin someone out in a relatively innocent manner, but drivers will likely be on their best behavior after seeing Ryan Preece get penalized 25 points and docked $50,000 for intentionally crashing Ty Gibbs at Texas last week. —Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 9 May 2026

Tate pushed off and should’ve been penalized for offensive pass interference. —Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026

Tate pushed off so he should’ve been penalized for offensive pass interference. —ABC News, 8 May 2026

Lively demanded a sweeping financial judgment that includes attorneys’ fees, triple damages for alleged harm and punitive damages aimed at penalizing what her attorneys described as an abuse of the legal system. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 May 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