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
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Recent Examples of penalty
That caused the committee to reconsider and support the stiffer penalty of expulsion, Goldsmith alleged.
—
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 May 2025
For travelers who disregard the guidance, the TSA has the ability to charge civil penalties of up to $17,062 per person, per incident, according to the TSA’s website.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
The maximum penalty for those crimes is 10 years and two years, respectively.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 May 2025
Five states — California, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida — use three-strike policies with escalating penalties for repeat offenses.
—Pablo Suarez, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 May 2025
For travelers who disregard the guidance, the TSA has the ability to charge civil penalties of up to $17,062 per person, per incident, according to the TSA’s website.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
The maximum penalty for those crimes is 10 years and two years, respectively.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 May 2025
Five states — California, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida — use three-strike policies with escalating penalties for repeat offenses.
—Pablo Suarez, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
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Drivers charged with a first-time DUI can also face an average of $13,500 in fines, fees and more.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
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The town code officer will enforce the ordinance, issuing fines of $100 for first violations, $200 for second ones, and $500 for third ones.—
Shawn P. Sullivan,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Xavier Guzman pleaded guilty in 2023, but received his punishment after the case against his co-defendant, Emilio Corripio, 20, resolved with a guilty plea in March.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2025
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But over the last decade, a sea change in state discipline policy — one born in part out of an understanding that such suspensions disproportionately affect Black, Latino and Indigenous students — largely outlawed that kind of punishment.—
Daniel Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Adding toppings or ingredients to oatmeal can have advantages or disadvantages, of course, but the oats at the base of oatmeal offer plenty of benefits.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
-
Without immediate legal representation, victims can be at a severe disadvantage.—
Ascend Agency,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
Noun
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Willkie Farr & Gallagher last week became the latest law firm to strike a deal with the White House and escape President Trump’s wrath.—
Ben Protess,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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And Augusta National Golf Club did not escape the storm’s wrath.—
Bob Spear,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Slow down just enough to ensure that growth doesn’t come at the expense of your people.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Reform, which didn't exist when these areas last voted four years ago, won more than 600 seats in the elections for 1,600 seats on 23 local councils, mostly at the Tories' expense.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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