as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
Australia was once a penal colony
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Recent Examples of penal
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
Joshua Anderson, who worked at Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City until February 2024, was indicted in September on charges of bringing contraband into a penal facility, official misconduct and bribery of a public servant.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penal
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
Joshua Anderson, who worked at Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City until February 2024, was indicted in September on charges of bringing contraband into a penal facility, official misconduct and bribery of a public servant.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penal
Adjective
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The jurors reached the compensatory verdict first, then had to go back and deliberate further to come up with the punitive award.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
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However, if Tuesday’s $375 million verdict out of a similar social media trial in New Mexico is any blueprint, expect the punitive award in the West Coast trial to be a comparable amount.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The federal Department of Justice announced an investigation into California’s correctional system Thursday over the state’s policy of housing incarcerated transgender women in female prisons.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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The report also highlighted increases in correctional and medical staff, as well as reductions in violence.—
María Santana,
CNN Money,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penal. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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