penalize
Dock for infractions
To penalize is to impose a penalty or disadvantage on someone for breaking a rule or doing something wrong.
Sports officials penalize fouls; tax codes penalize certain behaviors; teachers penalize late work.
The word often implies systematic or official punishment rather than informal consequences: The new policy penalizes workers who take sick days.
Also spelled penalise in British English.
Penalize for wrongdoing
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- castigateReprimand severely
- correctFree from error
reprimand · admonish · rebuke · reprove · censure · scold · chide · berate
Acceptable in quality
- feePayment for service
- monetaryOf or about currency
- surchargeExtra fee added
- levyCompulsory government charge
assessment · forfeit · damages · restitution · compensation · reparation · indemnity · exaction
Offensive or illegal
- yellow cardOfficial sporting misconduct warning
- red cardMatch ejection notice
- free kickUnobstructed restart after foul
- infractionMinor rule breach
violation · technical foul · flagrant foul · ejection · booking · unsportsmanlike · offside · handball
Prevent through intimidation
- discourageDiminish someone's confidence
- disincentivizeMake something less attractive
- dissuadeConvince not to
- inhibitTo restrain or hinder
prevent · obstruct · impede · thwart · hinder · hamper · restrain · curtail
Approval or punitive measure
- embargoOfficial prohibition on trade
- boycottOrganized economic protest
- banOfficial restriction on something
- blacklistRecord of prohibited entities
restrictions · prohibition · tariff · trade barrier · freeze · diplomatic · isolation · travel ban
punish
Penalize for wrongdoing
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- castigateReprimand severely
correct · reprimand · admonish · rebuke · reprove · censure · scold · chide · berate · upbraid
fine
Acceptable in quality
levy · assessment · forfeit · damages · restitution · compensation · reparation · indemnity · exaction · pecuniary
foul
Offensive or illegal
- yellow cardOfficial sporting misconduct warning
- red cardMatch ejection notice
- free kickUnobstructed restart after foul
infraction · violation · technical foul · flagrant foul · ejection · booking · unsportsmanlike · offside · handball · delay of game
deter
Prevent through intimidation
- discourageDiminish someone's confidence
- disincentivizeMake something less attractive
- dissuadeConvince not to
inhibit · prevent · obstruct · impede · thwart · hinder · hamper · restrain · curtail · suppress
sanction
Approval or punitive measure
- embargoOfficial prohibition on trade
- boycottOrganized economic protest
- banOfficial restriction on something
blacklist · restrictions · prohibition · tariff · trade barrier · freeze · diplomatic · isolation · travel ban · arms embargo
sentence
Complete thought, grammatically
- convictJailed offender after trial
- prosecuteBring criminal charges
- incarcerateConfine in detention
imprison · trial · court · verdict · conviction · guilty · judge · jury · defendant · prosecution
penalizereward
Payment for service
compensate · incentivize · award · praise · honor
penalized, penalizing, penalizes, penalised, penalising, penalise, penalization