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
But those who do get caught end up experiencing the Gulf’s penal system for at least a while, which is something most tourists and residents would prefer to avoid.
—
Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Tennessee had one of the worst penal systems in America, and the problems continued well into the twentieth century.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for penal
Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Tennessee had one of the worst penal systems in America, and the problems continued well into the twentieth century.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for penal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penal
Adjective
-
Voters who worry about Talarico’s deployment of faith may not be reassured by Paxton’s rather punitive approach to Christianity.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Also in February, the White House unveiled Project Vault, a $12 billion initiative to stockpile critical minerals and insulate American industry from punitive export restrictions.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jackson — still handcuffed to Martin — walked toward the correctional officers by the door.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
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The correctional officer, Jesus Reyes, was charged with conspiring to sell drugs, possessing drugs for sale and transporting drugs across county lines.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penal. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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