Skip to main content

penalizeto punish someone for breaking a rule or law

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to punish someone for breaking a rule or law

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpiːnəlaɪz/

Example Sentences

  • My teacher penalized me for being late, so now I have to clean the whiteboard for a week.
  • The referee penalized the player for diving in the penalty box.
  • Don't penalize yourself for making mistakes - learn from them instead!

penalize

VERB

[/ˈpiːnəlaɪz/]

to punish someone for breaking a rule or law

The referee penalizes the player with a red card for the reckless tackle.
💡 Concept

The referee penalizes the player with a red card for the reckless tackle.

First analyze, then realize, then penalize!
🎵 Rhyme

First analyze, then realize, then penalize!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈpiːnəlaɪz/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈpiːnəlaɪz/

🌳Etymology

Rootpenal
Suffix--ize

Origin

The word derives from Latin poena, meaning 'punishment' or 'penalty'. This Latin root evolved into the English noun penalty, to which the verb-forming suffix -ize was added, creating the modern verb meaning 'to inflict a penalty or punishment'.

Breakdown

poena (punishment) + -al (adjective-forming suffix) + -ize (verb-forming suffix meaning 'to make or cause to be'). The suffix -ize converts the adjective penal into the verb penalize.

🎵Rhyme

finalizerealizeanalyze
finalize
realize
analyze

🔗Collocations

penalize heavily
penalize unfairly
penalize students
penalize violations
penalize behavior

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My teacher penalized me for being late, so now I have to clean the whiteboard for a week.

The referee penalized the player for diving in the penalty box.

Don't penalize yourself for making mistakes - learn from them instead!

😄 Fun example

The dating app penalizes users who swipe right on everyone by showing them fewer matches.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

punishdisciplinefinesanctioncondemn

Antonyms

rewardpraisecommend

Related

penaltypunishmentdisciplinefinesanction

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.