The company was penalized for not paying taxes. The hockey player was penalized for holding. This law would unfairly penalize immigrants.
Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. This is not the first time that Trump’s administration has moved to penalize a local judge. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025 Scores are often used to make school funding decisions, penalizing schools where students aren’t acing the test. —Mark C. Perna, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 The big picture: The Trump administration has moved beyond penalizing international students over pro-Palestinian activism and stripped scores of students' visas without explanation, university officials and attorneys say. —Steph Solis, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025 Smith was penalized with 50 points and a fine of $25,000 for crashing into Gray. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for penalize Word HistoryFirst Known Use
1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of penalize was in 1888 Cite this Entry“Penalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penalize. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 29 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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