Added 9 October 2026 penalize /ˈpiː.nəl.aɪz/ verb Categories: SocietyRare Words verb ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about penalize at Wordnik → Where our words come from → Impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on. The students were penalized for showing up late for class Related Words: punishdisciplineincriminatecriminalizecriminalizationprosecuterepresssanctionsuppressquellenactcastigate Back to today's word