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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Penalize: Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：impose a penalty (penalize)

penalize 🔊

/ˈpiːnəlaɪz/

vt.

To officially punish someone for breaking a rule or law, often by making them pay money or lose a right.

Soccer referee penalizing player with yellow card on field

impose a penalty 🔊

➕

/ɪmˈpoʊz ə ˈpenəlti/

vt.

To subject someone to a legal or official punishment, such as a fine or loss of rights, for violating a rule or law.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'poena' (punishment) + '-ize', forming verb meaning 'to impose punishment'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'penalty' – penalize is the action of giving a penalty. Imagine a referee showing a yellow card.

📖 Example

If you are caught cheating on the exam, the school will penalize you with a zero. 🔊 If you are caught cheating on the exam, the school will penalize you with a zero.

🔗 Collocations

penalize someone for – to punish someone because of a specific action

penalize heavily – to impose a severe penalty

penalize with a fine – to punish by requiring payment of money

🔄 Synonyms

punish (v.) – to inflict a penalty on someone for wrongdoing

fine (v.) – to impose a monetary penalty on someone

discipline (v.) – to punish or correct someone for misbehavior

🚫 Antonyms

reward (v.) – to give something in return for good behavior

praise (v.) – to express approval or admiration

exonerate (v.) – to officially absolve from blame or penalty

🌱 Derivatives

penalty (n.) – a punishment imposed for breaking a rule

penalization (n.) – the act of imposing a penalty

penal (adj.) – relating to punishment or penalties

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'poena' (penalty), penalize entered English in the 19th century through legal and sporting contexts, often used when authorities enforce rules.

Meaning 2：put at a disadvantage (penalize)

penalize 🔊

/ˈpiːnəlaɪz/

vt.

To put someone at a disadvantage in a competition or situation, often unfairly.

Board game player penalized by moving piece backwards

put at a disadvantage 🔊

➕

/pʊt æt ə ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪdʒ/

vt.

To place someone or something in a less favorable position, often through unfair rules or conditions.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The new tax policy might penalize small businesses by making it harder for them to compete with large corporations. 🔊 The new tax policy might penalize small businesses by making it harder for them to compete with large corporations.

🔗 Collocations

penalize unfairly – to put someone at an unjust disadvantage

penalize small businesses – to create conditions that harm smaller companies

penalize through regulations – to disadvantage someone by imposing restrictive rules

🔄 Synonyms

handicap (v.) – to place at a disadvantage, often due to a limitation

burden (v.) – to impose a heavy load or difficulty

prejudice (v.) – to cause harm or disadvantage, often by bias

🚫 Antonyms

advantage (v.) – to give a favorable position or benefit

favor (v.) – to treat with preferential treatment

benefit (v.) – to provide an advantage or profit

🌱 Derivatives

disadvantage (n.) – a condition that makes success less likely

penalizing (adj.) – causing a disadvantage

penalization (n.) – the act of putting at a disadvantage