1
as in fines
a sum of money to be paid as a punishment
the penalty for speeding is $10 for every mile over the speed limit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in punishments
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense
in some cases, the new penalties for drug offenses were harsher than those for violent crimes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disadvantages
the negative result caused by something that creates difficulty for achieving success
suffered the penalty of his decision to leave school without graduating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penalties
But because World Cup ticket prices have surged since the tournament began, those sellers have been forced to either buy expensive tickets to fulfill their orders or cancel and accept penalties from resale platforms.
—
R.j. Rico, Fortune, 20 June 2026
Ahead of the holiday, the City of Rancho Cordova is cracking down with much harsher penalties.
—Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 19 June 2026
If found permanently in breach of the DSA, platforms face severe penalties, including fines of up to 6 percent of their total global annual turnover.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
The penalties for doing so are harsh, like restrictions on picking up mid-level exception players and trading first-round picks for seven years out.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 June 2026
StubHub's penalties are typically 200% of the ticket price, Friedman said.
—ABC News, 19 June 2026
StubHub’s penalties are typically 200% of the ticket price, Friedman said.
—R.j. Rico, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The government recently announced another recruitment drive, offering to pay off debts of up to $140,000 for men who sign up and might otherwise face penalties for defaulting.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Under Florida law, a first-time DUI conviction can carry penalties that include fines, probation, community service and a driver's license suspension, though any potential penalties in this case would depend on the outcome of court proceedings.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
R.j. Rico, Fortune, 20 June 2026
Ahead of the holiday, the City of Rancho Cordova is cracking down with much harsher penalties.
—Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 19 June 2026
If found permanently in breach of the DSA, platforms face severe penalties, including fines of up to 6 percent of their total global annual turnover.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
The penalties for doing so are harsh, like restrictions on picking up mid-level exception players and trading first-round picks for seven years out.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 June 2026
StubHub's penalties are typically 200% of the ticket price, Friedman said.
—ABC News, 19 June 2026
StubHub’s penalties are typically 200% of the ticket price, Friedman said.
—R.j. Rico, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The government recently announced another recruitment drive, offering to pay off debts of up to $140,000 for men who sign up and might otherwise face penalties for defaulting.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Under Florida law, a first-time DUI conviction can carry penalties that include fines, probation, community service and a driver's license suspension, though any potential penalties in this case would depend on the outcome of court proceedings.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalties
Noun
-
Failure to comply with these new protocols may result in fines for building management.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
TxDOT says that a DWI charge can result in up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time, and loss of a driver’s license.—
Mary Ella Hastings
June 18,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
But many instructors don’t report incidents of cheating to administrators responsible for enforcing those rules and meting out punishments.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
17 June 2026
-
The Tennessee board normally mirrors punishments from other states without hesitation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The companies that scale AI best will likely be those that align these decisions early, before infrastructure constraints harden into structural disadvantages.—
Kiran Palla,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Similar to how van Gisbergen debuted on a brand-new NASCAR circuit, thereby negating some of the disadvantages that come with racing in a series for the first time, Magnussen will have the same opportunity at San Diego.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Being able to drive himself to shows and avoid the expenses associated with sky-high gas prices, a tour bus, and a substantial road crew is a plus for an indie artist.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2026
-
In its first year, the new approach led Cigna to cut prior authorization requirements for tests and procedures by 15% and make changes to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenses, the company reported.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalties. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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