1. to impose a penalty or punishment on someone for breaking a rule or law
Usage: third person singular present tense of ‘penalize’
2. to put someone at a disadvantage or cause them to suffer
Usage: third person singular present tense of ‘penalize’

Examples

• The referee penalizes players who commit fouls during the game.
• The tax code penalizes married couples in certain income brackets.
• The school penalizes students who arrive late to class.
• This policy penalizes small businesses more than large corporations.
• The judge penalizes repeat offenders with longer sentences.
• The new law penalizes companies that pollute the environment.
• The grading system penalizes creative thinking in favor of memorization.