penalise
gb/pˈɛnəlɪs/ us/pˈɛnəlɪs/
B2
English
megbüntet, szankcionál, hátrányosan érint, hátrányba hoz, büntet, büntetést ítél
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
megbüntet
B1
szankcionál
C1
Usage pattern:
penalise [someone] for [something]/for [doing something]
The regulator can penalise firms that fail to protect customer data.
A szabályozó hatóság megbüntetheti azokat a vállalatokat, amelyek nem védik megfelelően az ügyféladatokat.
Drivers may be penalised for using a phone while at the wheel.
A járművezetőket megbüntethetik, ha vezetés közben telefont használnak.
The policy penalises landlords who ignore safety rules.
Learner examples
You will be penalised for cheating.
Meg fognak büntetni csalásért.
The company was penalised for breaking the law.
A céget megbüntették, mert megszegte a törvényt.
Common mistake:
In American English the usual spelling is penalize. Don’t confuse penalise with "criticise" (it implies an official penalty).
Meaning
punish with an official penalty
Collocations
penalise someone for speeding
|penalise illegal behaviour
|penalise non-compliance
|penalise companies
|penalise offenders
|penalise rule-breaking
|penalise violations
|penalise misconduct
|penalise severely
|penalise heavily
Synonyms
punish (More general; penalise suggests a formal or rule-based penalty.)
|
sanction (Often used in official or political contexts; can be broader than a single penalty.)
|
fine (More specific: penalise can involve penalties other than money.)
Antonyms
reward (Gives a benefit rather than a penalty.)
|
pardon (Officially forgives instead of punishing.)
Themes
law
|rules
|government
|justice
Definition
To officially punish someone for doing something wrong.
To punish someone for breaking a rule or law by imposing a penalty such as a fine, restriction, or other formal sanction.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
penalise [someone/something] (by [doing something])
The new tax rules penalise people who save for retirement.
Az új adószabályok hátrányosan érintik azokat, akik nyugdíjra takarékoskodnak.
A rigid attendance policy can penalise students with chronic illness.
A merev jelenléti szabályzat hátrányosan érintheti a krónikus beteg diákokat.
High fees penalise smaller suppliers who can’t negotiate discounts.
Learner examples
This rule penalises part-time workers.
Ez a szabály hátrányosan érinti a részmunkaidős dolgozókat.
Common mistake:
Penalise does not always mean an intentional punishment; it can mean a rule or situation disadvantages someone.
Meaning
put at a disadvantage
Collocations
penalise low-income families
|penalise small businesses
|penalise remote workers
|penalise applicants
|penalise students
|penalise people with disabilities
|penalise older people
|penalise the poor
|unfairly penalise
|effectively penalise
Synonyms
disadvantage (Neutral term; penalise suggests the disadvantage comes from a rule, system, or consequence.)
|
handicap (Often implies making progress harder; can sound less formal and may be sensitive in some contexts.)
Antonyms
advantage (Gives someone a helpful benefit.)
|
favour (Treats someone more positively than others.)
Themes
business
|society
|education
|inequality
Definition
To make things harder for someone, so they are less likely to succeed.
To put someone or something at a disadvantage, especially by making a system, rule, or situation harder for them than for others.
VERB
B2
3
büntet
B1
Usage pattern:
penalise [someone/a team] for [something]
The referee penalised the defender for a late challenge.
A játékvezető büntette a védőt a késői belépőért.
The team was penalised for repeated infringements at the breakdown.
A csapatot a rucknál elkövetett ismételt szabálytalanságok miatt büntették.
She was penalised for stepping out of bounds.
Learner examples
The referee penalised him for a foul.
A játékvezető szabálytalanságért büntette.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse penalise (give a penalty) with "criticise" (say something is bad).
Meaning
give a sports penalty
Collocations
penalise a player
|penalise a team
|penalise for offside
|penalise for handball
|penalise for a foul
|penalise for dangerous play
|penalise for holding
|wrongly penalise
|penalise immediately
|penalise consistently
Synonyms
call a foul on (Common in some sports; less formal and more sport-specific.)
|
dock (Often used for points or time penalties; less general than penalise.)
Antonyms
let off (Chooses not to give a penalty.)
Themes
sports
|rules
Definition
In sport, to give a penalty because a rule was broken.
In sport, to punish a player or team for breaking the rules by awarding a penalty, such as a free kick, penalty kick, time penalty, or points deduction.
Grammar
Dictionary form
penalise
IPA
GB/pˈɛnəlɪs/
US/pˈɛnəlɪs/
Syllables & stress
pen - al - ise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pen)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: penalise
- 3rd Person Singular: penalises
- Present Participle: penalising
- Past: penalised
Word family
Expressions
be penalised for (doing) something
1/bˈi pˈɛnəlɪsd fɚ dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
receive a penalty for something
To get a penalty because of something you did.
Examples
- You may be penalised for submitting the form late.
- The driver was penalised for speeding in a school zone.
- Several players were penalised for offside.
Learner examples
- Students are penalised for cheating.
penalise someone with a fine/points deduction
1/pˈɛnəlɪs sˈʌmwˌʌn wˈɪθ ə fˈaɪnpˈɔɪnts dɪdˈʌkʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
punish by giving a specific penalty
To punish someone by giving them a specific penalty, like a fine.
Examples
- The club was penalised with a points deduction for breaking spending rules.
- The court penalised him with a heavy fine.
- The airline may be penalised with further sanctions if it ignores the ruling.
Learner examples
- The company was penalised with a fine.