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
In 2021, the state implemented several new and stricter penalties for hazing after 19-year-old Timothy Piazza, a New Jersey resident, died after being forced to drink copious amounts of alcohol while attending Penn State University.
—
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
In July, Louisiana enacted a similar drone law that gives law enforcement the authority to intercept and disable unauthorized drones that pose a public safety threat, with penalties up to a $5,000 fine or one year in jail.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
House Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) and 53 other representatives also penned a letter to major utility companies to suspend late penalties and utility shutoffs for federal employees and contractors while the government is closed.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Most notably, Williams had two intentional grounding penalties in the game.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The most significant off-the-field news for a conference that doesn’t yet exist has unfolded in the courtroom, where the Pac-12 has successfully pulled the Mountain West into a lengthy, costly lawsuit over $55 million in poaching penalties.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
West Germany seemed tired after their semi-final had gone to penalties — the first shootout in a World Cup — after a 3-3 draw with France.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
The change comes shortly after the Big 12 threatened in-game penalties and $100,000 fines if fans continue to throw tortillas onto the playing surface.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Miami had nine penalties for 68 yards against Louisville, including three on third downs in the second half.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
In July, Louisiana enacted a similar drone law that gives law enforcement the authority to intercept and disable unauthorized drones that pose a public safety threat, with penalties up to a $5,000 fine or one year in jail.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
House Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) and 53 other representatives also penned a letter to major utility companies to suspend late penalties and utility shutoffs for federal employees and contractors while the government is closed.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Most notably, Williams had two intentional grounding penalties in the game.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The most significant off-the-field news for a conference that doesn’t yet exist has unfolded in the courtroom, where the Pac-12 has successfully pulled the Mountain West into a lengthy, costly lawsuit over $55 million in poaching penalties.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
West Germany seemed tired after their semi-final had gone to penalties — the first shootout in a World Cup — after a 3-3 draw with France.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
The change comes shortly after the Big 12 threatened in-game penalties and $100,000 fines if fans continue to throw tortillas onto the playing surface.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Miami had nine penalties for 68 yards against Louisville, including three on third downs in the second half.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalties
Noun
-
Gill's defense attorney requested a cash bond or split bond, which would allow some of the money paid to cover future fines, fees or restitution.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
24 Oct. 2025
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Each of the three men pleaded guilty to scalping tickets and agreed to pay $250 in fines a day after their arrest.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Arbitrary rulemaking and punishments, absurdism and fringe beliefs are part and parcel of Lanthimos’ storytelling.—
Thomas Page,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The college football season has now reached its midway point, and while numerous punishments have already been handed down to programs this year—most stemming from field-storming incidents—Tuesday brought a notable enforcement under a different policy.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Actual research on the topic is still uneven, however, and a study published last year indicated trans women who take hormone therapy may face significant disadvantages compared to their cis peers in metrics like vertical leap and oxygen consumption.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
27 Oct. 2025
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When asked about potential disadvantages, Roberson said officials hear from educators who can be reluctant to adjust lesson plans.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The weather can have a notable impact on heating expenses in a number of ways—not only because colder temperatures will raise the amount of energy needed to warm a home, but also because colder weather increases the demand for electricity, which can cause prices to go up too.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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Partly because of Pure Water expenses, the San Diego City Council is scheduled Tuesday to approve raising water rates more than 60% over four years and sewer rates more than 30% during that time frame.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalties. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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