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

Relevance

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 Their ruling states that investigators should not have cited penal law as justification for seizing the artwork, and reproaches a lower court’s previous approval of their methods. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 21 Sep. 2026 She had originally been charged with abuse of residents of penal facilities, a felony. — Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026 However, an appellate court panel of judges ruled that the judge and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office inappropriately cited a penal law to seize the drawing. — Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026 The museum, spanning a former cell block wing, is a deeply informative and well curated journey through the evolution of the nation’s penal system. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for penal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penal

Adjective

The country does have a wealth tax dating back to the nineteenth century, but it is administered at the canton level and its highest marginal rate is nowhere near as punitive as the California proposal.

— Daniel Waldenstrom, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026
The Kingdom of Benin was looted of roughly 5,000 royal and religious objects in 1897 by British forces on a punitive expedition through what is now Nigeria.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of punitive

Adjective

And Illinois spends about $45,000 per inmate per year in correctional cost, whereas NLEN’s social enterprise programs cost $9,000 to $14,000 per client (depending on age, prior skills and certifications).

— Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
He was first received into the state prison system in 1996 and later received additional sentences for possessing or manufacturing a weapon while incarcerated and two separate assaults on correctional officers involving gassing.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of correctional

Browse Nearby Words

pen

penal

penalize

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Penal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penal. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of penal

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

impertinent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes