1
as in fine
a sum of money to be paid as a punishment
the penalty for speeding is $10 for every mile over the speed limit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in punishment
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense
in some cases, the new penalties for drug offenses were harsher than those for violent crimes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disadvantage
the negative result caused by something that creates difficulty for achieving success
suffered the penalty of his decision to leave school without graduating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of penalty
This isn’t just about a 15-yard penalty flag.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2025
Against the Bills, the Dolphins had quite a few mistakes, including Sieler’s roughing-the-kicker penalty that gave reigning MVP Josh Allen a new set of downs and eventually a touchdown or Tua Tagovailoa’s interception on a potential game-tying drive.
—Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
No extra time or penalty shootouts needed!
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
There are no penalties for paying off your balance early.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2025
Against the Bills, the Dolphins had quite a few mistakes, including Sieler’s roughing-the-kicker penalty that gave reigning MVP Josh Allen a new set of downs and eventually a touchdown or Tua Tagovailoa’s interception on a potential game-tying drive.
—Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
No extra time or penalty shootouts needed!
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
There are no penalties for paying off your balance early.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
-
If convicted of bank fraud or making false statements, the penalties could include up to 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines for each count, the DOJ says.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Apple was also hit with a fine in 2021, although the amount was considerably less than Google’s $177 million sanction.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Now under new ownership, with their star out for a very long time and the looming punishments of repeating in the second apron, the Celtics decided to gut the team for financial reasons.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Major League Baseball has announced punishments for San Diego Padres players Xander Bogaerts and Jose Iglesias for their actions in Wild Card Game 3.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Japan and the European Union now have tariffs at that level, putting South Korea at a competitive disadvantage.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In the weeks and months leading up to Ruiz’s trial, Judge Bill Lewis made several decisions that, according to Ruiz’s lawyer, put his client at a disadvantage.—
Amy Yurkanin,
ProPublica,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Having claimed damages of £48,000, William received £1,800, along with a pension that barely covered his London expenses.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Under copyright law, rightsholders can sue and obtain statutory damages for individual acts of infringement — regardless of whether the infringer offers an opt-out or not.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
When Hernán helps Julia and her young daughter, Maribel, navigate treacherous borderlands, their desperate journey triggers the wrath of a ruthless trafficking syndicate.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Tech CEOs lobbying Trump similarly risk the wrath of true believers in the administration who, quite simply, hate them.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Marco Aguilera, the Fort Lauderdale chief waterways officer, applied for the grant, which will cover 75 percent of eligible expenses for five years.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Jenny Rosales’ brother, Fernando Rosales, organized a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share