PENAL Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

penal

adjective

ˈpē-nᵊl

Definition of penal

as in punitive

inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment Australia was once a penal colony

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 penal While the two men entered the Russian penal system around the same time, their cases differ significantly. — Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 Colorado was the first of eight states to repeal its penal exception clause. — Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026 The charges included seven counts of falsifying a record and one felony count of abuse of a resident of a penal facility. — Nichole Manna, ProPublica, 28 Apr. 2026 In the new South, one scrabbling to industrialize, business owners could now hire unpaid labor through the penal system. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for penal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penal

Adjective

For Kyiv, punitive sanctions that impose real economic costs on Moscow are a key part of that strategy.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
But the city says the overall goal is to make parking less confusing and less punitive.

— Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of punitive

Adjective

Three men, one an off-duty Cook County correctional officer, were wounded during an argument overnight in the city’s River North neighborhood, according to authorities.

— Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
It’s been ten years since Si Ren, a man rumored to have no genitals, has left a military-style correctional camp.

— Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of correctional

Browse Nearby Words

pen

penal

penalize

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“Penal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penal. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of penal

adjective

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