B2verbUK spelling: penaliselawwork
US/ˈpiː.nəl.aɪz/
UK/ˈpiː.nəl.aɪz/
to punish someone or treat them unfairly, usually by making them pay or lose something
In context
The company will penalize employees who arrive late without a reason.
Customers are penalized with extra fees if they cancel at the last minute.
The new tax rule may penalize small businesses unfairly.
Words that go with penalize
verb + noun
- penalize employeesManagers should not penalize employees for honest mistakes.
- penalize late paymentThe contract penalizes late payment with a five percent fee.
adverb + verb
- unfairly penalizeThe policy unfairly penalizes part-time workers.
- financially penalizeThe rule would financially penalize families with children.
verb + preposition
- penalize forStudents are penalized for copying from the internet.
verb + adverb
- penalize heavilyAirlines penalize heavily any change to a cheap fare.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He was penalized because of arriving late.Correct: He was penalized for arriving late.