pe·nal·ize [ pn'l z ](past and past participlepe·nal·ized, present participlepe·nal·iz·ing, 3rd person present singularpe·nal·iz·es)
transitive verb
Definition:
1. subject somebody to penalty: to impose a penalty on somebody or something for breaking a law or rule
2. disadvantage somebody: to put somebody or something at a disadvantage, or treat him or her unfairly The tax system heavily penalizes people with high incomes.
3. punish player for breaking rule: to punish a team or player for breaking a rule by giving an advantage to the opposing team or player
4. make something punishable: to make something punishable by a law or rule
