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
By that point, Marseille had already lost on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in the Trophee des Champions, having been 2-1 up going into the final minute of stoppage time.
—
Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
The Treasury Department has escalated those penalties in recent weeks as the US tries to pressure Tehran on talks.
—Skylar Woodhouse, Fortune, 16 May 2026
That led to the penalties from the league, which said there had been multiple warnings to the club.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Kannapolis officials said code enforcement officers would handle violations, with residential penalties set at $100 and commercial or industrial penalties at $300.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
On Wednesday, the judge said that Sidhu had been given speeding penalties before the crash and had been working over 26 hours, with 16 of them being behind the wheel, per CBC.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Other forms of theft, as well as drug offenses — something Bianco said is crucial to address while backing Proposition 36, a ballot measure state voters passed in 2024 to increase penalties for such crimes — have also fluctuated in the county for years.
—Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
People who were charged penalties during the three-year pandemic emergency have until July 10 to ask the IRS for their money back.
—Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 9 May 2026
Those inspections are often delayed, and penalties are inconsistently enforced.
—Ines Fahmi, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
The Treasury Department has escalated those penalties in recent weeks as the US tries to pressure Tehran on talks.
—Skylar Woodhouse, Fortune, 16 May 2026
That led to the penalties from the league, which said there had been multiple warnings to the club.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Kannapolis officials said code enforcement officers would handle violations, with residential penalties set at $100 and commercial or industrial penalties at $300.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
On Wednesday, the judge said that Sidhu had been given speeding penalties before the crash and had been working over 26 hours, with 16 of them being behind the wheel, per CBC.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Other forms of theft, as well as drug offenses — something Bianco said is crucial to address while backing Proposition 36, a ballot measure state voters passed in 2024 to increase penalties for such crimes — have also fluctuated in the county for years.
—Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
People who were charged penalties during the three-year pandemic emergency have until July 10 to ask the IRS for their money back.
—Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 9 May 2026
Those inspections are often delayed, and penalties are inconsistently enforced.
—Ines Fahmi, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalties
Noun
-
The ordinance will take effect in 30 days and it will be followed by a 60-day grace period before citations and fines can be issued.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The Boston Housing Authority faced fines from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board this week after what advocates and residents have called persistent elevator issues in the South End’s Ruth Barkley Apartments over nearly three years.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
On Friday, the league levied some serious punishments.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
The parents also are concerned about whether discipline was issued fairly, claiming students from wealthy families or who are related to school employees received lenient punishments.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite these disadvantages, Spirit grew rapidly during the early two-thousands and made a profit through 2019.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Below are the advantages and disadvantages of using Hers.—
Nicole Hernandez,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
He was also accused of deceiving escrow agents to secure the release of pre-construction condominium deposits and then misappropriated those funds for personal expenses unrelated to the developments.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
-
Furthermore, jockeys may have to cover expenses such as travel and lodging.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalties. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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