penal

pe·nal

adj \ˈpē-n^əl\

Definition of PENAL

1

: of, relating to, or involving punishment, penalties, or punitive institutions

2

: liable to punishment <a penal offense>

3

: used as a place of confinement and punishment <a penal colony>

— pe·nal·ly \-n^əl-ē\ adverb

Examples of PENAL

1. <Australia was once a penal colony.>

Origin of PENAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin poenalis, from poena punishment — more at pain

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PENAL

Synonyms: castigating, chastening, chastising, correcting, correctional, corrective, disciplinary, disciplining, punitive, penalizing

Antonyms: nonpunitive

Related Words: retaliative, retaliatory, retributive, retributory, revengeful; vengeful, wrathful

Near Antonyms: compensatory; acquitting, exculpating, exculpatory, exonerating, vindicating; absolving, condoning, pardoning, remitting; commuting, reprieving

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with PENAL

renal, venal