1. imposing a penalty or punishment on someone for breaking a rule or law
Usage: present participle of penalize
2. putting someone at a disadvantage or causing them to suffer
Usage: present participle of penalize

Examples

• The referee is penalizing the team for unsportsmanlike conduct.
• The new tax policy is penalizing small businesses.
• Teachers avoid penalizing students for minor mistakes.
• The company is penalizing employees who arrive late.
• This scoring system is penalizing creative answers.
• The judge is penalizing the defendant with community service.