penalize

Universal Words (BrE also penalise) verb [VN] 1 ~ sb (for sth) to punish sb for breaking a rule or law by making them suffer a disadvantage: You will be penalized for poor spelling. 2 ~ sb (for sth) to punish sb for breaking a rule in a sport or game by giving an advantage to their opponent: He was penalized for time-wasting. * Foul play will be severely penalized. 3 to put sb at a disadvantage by treating them unfairly: The new law appears to penalize the poorest members of society. * He felt penalized because of his age.