penalize

The word "penalize" is often used to describe a mild punishment that comes from government, business, or from someone in a position of authority, such as a teacher, a referee, or a judge. This word can be pronounced with a short e or a long e sound in the first syllable: penalize / penalize.

• The player was penalized for hitting another player on the field.
• The company was penalized for failing to meet safety regulations for employees.
• The teacher penalized Ahmed for turning in his homework late.
• Christine feels like she’s being penalized at work because she made a comment that her supervisor didn’t like.
• The government will penalize you if you don’t pay your taxes by April 15.

The word "penalty" is a noun.

• You have to pay a penalty if your taxes aren’t paid in time.
• How much is the penalty for a person who doesn’t have health insurance?
• American football teams are given 10-yard penalties for bad behavior on the field.
• A penalty in soccer (football) may take the form of a free kick.

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April 16, 2014