as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
Australia was once a penal colony
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Examples of penal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As New York’s governor, Roosevelt had championed a fusion of penal reform and vigilance against lawbreakers.
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Anthony Gregory / Made By History, TIME, 23 July 2024
Every age treats its penal system as natural, inevitable, and regrettable.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
Fisher, the correctional lieutenant who was also charged in the Williams' case, faces two counts of abuse of residents of penal facilities in Maier's death.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 11 July 2024
Symmetrically, to protect the executive branch from the Article I branch’s propensity to disturb the Constitution’s balance of power by aggressive legislation, the president is vested with authorities that may not be eroded by Congress — including by its power to enact penal laws.
—The Editors, National Review, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for penal 
Anthony Gregory / Made By History, TIME, 23 July 2024
Every age treats its penal system as natural, inevitable, and regrettable.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
Fisher, the correctional lieutenant who was also charged in the Williams' case, faces two counts of abuse of residents of penal facilities in Maier's death.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 11 July 2024
Symmetrically, to protect the executive branch from the Article I branch’s propensity to disturb the Constitution’s balance of power by aggressive legislation, the president is vested with authorities that may not be eroded by Congress — including by its power to enact penal laws.
—The Editors, National Review, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for penal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'penal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Penal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penal. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.
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