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
Under the law, moral offenses — including adultery and same-sex relations — can carry penalties of up to 100 lashes.
—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
That means withdrawals will be taxed as ordinary income and could be subject to early withdrawal penalties if used for unqualified expenses.
—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
Thornton has also increased penalties for repeat offenders illegally using personal fireworks.
—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
2 July 2026
The fine is one of three antitrust penalties totaling more than $8 billion that the European Commission slapped on Google between 2017 and 2019, putting the 27-nation bloc at the forefront of the global push to rein in tech giants.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Over the past decade, the IRS has steadily narrowed the avenues through which international taxpayers can resolve past tax noncompliance without facing penalties.
—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Infrastructure failures that result in pollution must trigger legally enforceable penalties such as fines.
—
Serge Dedina,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 July 2026
Congress last used its right of review under President Joe Biden in 2023, the first time since 1991, over a crime bill that would have reduced penalties for violent crimes.
—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2026
Both countries impose severe penalties on LGBTQ people.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
That means withdrawals will be taxed as ordinary income and could be subject to early withdrawal penalties if used for unqualified expenses.
—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
Thornton has also increased penalties for repeat offenders illegally using personal fireworks.
—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
2 July 2026
The fine is one of three antitrust penalties totaling more than $8 billion that the European Commission slapped on Google between 2017 and 2019, putting the 27-nation bloc at the forefront of the global push to rein in tech giants.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Over the past decade, the IRS has steadily narrowed the avenues through which international taxpayers can resolve past tax noncompliance without facing penalties.
—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Infrastructure failures that result in pollution must trigger legally enforceable penalties such as fines.
—
Serge Dedina,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 July 2026
Congress last used its right of review under President Joe Biden in 2023, the first time since 1991, over a crime bill that would have reduced penalties for violent crimes.
—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2026
Both countries impose severe penalties on LGBTQ people.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalties
Noun
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Companies that don’t follow the new rules would be subject to tens of thousands of fines for each violation.
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These fines can wipe out years of profit, cause license suspension that shuts down operations and generate client lawsuits that follow your company for decades.
Noun
-
Third, the players are pushing the MLB to adjust how sports betting investigations and punishments are dealt with.
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Prosecutors added severe mandatory penalties to their cases, stacking those punishments, even if no shots were fired, to build prison terms of 50, 60 or even 100 years.
Noun
-
Between structural disadvantages, insider advantages, and inconsistent capital allocation, IPO investing is often more speculation than strategy.
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DataHaven found that a legacy of racial and residential segregation has contributed to lingering inequality, with Black and Latino communities facing significant disadvantages and lower quality of life.
Noun
-
Seeking to close a $12 billion budget shortfall last year, the governor hoped to cut over $750 million from the state’s payroll expenses in salaries and wages.
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Campaign funds may be used to pay for a candidate’s childcare expenses that are incurred as a direct result of campaign activities, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Cite this Entry
“Penalties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalties. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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