Penalise: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in British English to describe giving a punishment or disadvantage to someone for not following rules or laws. It applies both in formal institutions like schools and informal settings.

• The company was penalised for not adhering to safety regulations
• Students will be penalised for late submissions

General term for imposing a penalty or consequence on someone for doing something wrong. It can be used across various contexts including legal, parental, and educational.

• Parents often punish children for bad behavior
• The judge punished the criminal with a lengthy prison sentence

Used in American English, serving the same purpose as 'penalise'. It's about imposing a punishment or disadvantage, typically for rule-breaking.

• The school decided to penalize students for cheating
• Players can be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct

Specifically refers to a monetary charge imposed as punishment for breaking a law or rule. Commonly used in legal and official contexts.

• Drivers caught speeding will be fined
• Companies may face fines for environmental violations

Common in British English, 'penalise' is often used in formal situations where a rule or law is violated, leading to a generally administrative or regulatory consequence.

• The company was penalised for failing to comply with environmental regulations.
• Players can be penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct on the field.

A more general term that can be used in a variety of settings, from legal to everyday situations. It involves imposing a consequence for wrongdoing and often carries a more personal or emotional tone.

• The parents decided to punish their child for lying.
• Society needs laws to punish criminal behavior.

The American English counterpart of 'penalise', 'penalize' is used in similar formal and regulatory contexts where an individual or entity faces consequences for rule-breaking.

• The student was penalized for cheating on the exam.
• Regulators penalized the bank for its fraudulent activities.

Used when someone is required to pay money as a consequence of breaking a rule or law. It is commonly applied in legal and traffic-related situations.

• The driver was fined for speeding in a school zone.
• Businesses can be fined if they do not adhere to health and safety regulations.

Used when referring to a general action of declaring someone or something as subject to a penalty, especially in legal or rule-bound contexts. It implies making someone suffer a consequence for doing something wrong.

• The company was penalised for pollution violations
• Students will be penalised for cheating on exams

A broad term for any negative consequence imposed for breaking rules. It can refer to monetary fines, time loss, or other forms of punishment.

• The penalty for late submission is a 10% grade reduction
• She faced a heavy penalty for breaking the contract

Refers to any consequence that is given to someone for doing something wrong, ranging from mild to severe, and can be used in legal, educational, or general behavioral contexts. This term carries a more serious and sometimes negative connotation.

• The child received a punishment for not doing his homework
• The ultimate punishment for the crime was life imprisonment

Refers specifically to a monetary charge imposed on someone as a penalty. Commonly used in legal, parking violations, and other minor infractions.

• He had to pay a fine for speeding
• The restaurant was fined for health code violations