as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
Australia was once a penal colony
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penal
Vick is charged with abuse of residents of penal facilities.
—
Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 12 Feb. 2026
In many cases, those who have been arrested are, in essence, disappeared into the federal penal system.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
The Chinese are also concentrating on plug-in hybrids, which don’t carry the same penal tariffs as pure EVs, and which may have a long-term future if the EU decides to dilute its carbon dioxide emissions regime.
—Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Sara has additionally been charged with possession of paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia and the introduction of contraband into a penal facility, police said.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penal
Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 12 Feb. 2026
In many cases, those who have been arrested are, in essence, disappeared into the federal penal system.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
The Chinese are also concentrating on plug-in hybrids, which don’t carry the same penal tariffs as pure EVs, and which may have a long-term future if the EU decides to dilute its carbon dioxide emissions regime.
—Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Sara has additionally been charged with possession of paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia and the introduction of contraband into a penal facility, police said.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penal
Adjective
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The United States last year also blocked imports from a major South Korean salt farm accused of using slave labor, becoming the first trade partner to take punitive action against a decadeslong problem on salt farms in islands off the country’s southwest coast.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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At the same time, human-rights organizations reported repression inside the El Rodeo I prison, where foreign political detainees launched a protest that authorities allegedly responded to with tear gas and punitive measures.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And a study by the New York City Department of Investigation showed test error rates from 79% to 91% in some correctional settings.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
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The opportunities extend beyond associate degrees, with some universities offering full bachelor's programs tailored to specific correctional populations.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penal. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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