What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
punished
Example
The child was punished for misbehaving in class. [punished: verb]
Example
He felt punished by the long hours and low pay of his job. [punished: adjective]
penalize
Example
The referee decided to penalize the player for unsportsmanlike conduct. [penalize: verb]
Example
The company will be penalized for violating environmental regulations. [penalized: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Punish is more common in everyday language, while penalize is more commonly used in legal or formal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between punished and penalize?
Penalize is generally more formal than punish, as it is often used in legal or disciplinary contexts.
