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

The measure would have barred Switzerland from joining punitive measures against other countries unless they were imposed by the United Nations.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
When the vast majority of minor leaguers never reach the majors, the arithmetic clears only when the terms on the few who do are punitive enough to fund the rest.

— Chris Koras, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of punitive

Adjective

The correctional center had recently been found to have fallen short of federal standards, including for medical care, by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

— DORANY PINEDA, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026
An inmate and 10 Cook County Jail correctional officers were hospitalized Sunday afternoon after a mattress fire.

— Greg Kelly, CBS News, 21 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of penal

adjective

Example Sentences

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