penalize — to 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.

First analyze, then realize, then penalize!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
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
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“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!”
“The dating app penalizes users who swipe right on everyone by showing them fewer matches.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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