Synonyms of penalties

penalties

noun

plural of penalty

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

• fines
• forfeitures
• damages
• forfeits
• mulcts
• compensations
• awards
• reparations
• indemnities
• assessments

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

• punishments
• wraths
• sentences
• corrections
• disciplines
• chastisements
• fines
• castigations
• deserts
• condemnations
• retributions
• nemeses
• reprisals
• comeuppances
• reprimands
• retaliations
• assessments
• charges
• examples
• revenges
• criticisms
• imprisonments
• mulcts
• vengeances
• censures
• incarcerations
• confinements
• denouncements
• rebukes
• reproofs
• damnations

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indemnities
• exemptions
• pardons
• amnesties
• immunities
• paroles
• acquittals
• exonerations
• vindications
• releases
• exculpations
• commutations
• impunities
• remissions
• reprieves
• absolutions
• disregards
• remitments
• condonations

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

• disadvantages
• expenses
• losses
• damages
• despites
• injuries
• detriments
• deficits
• deprivations
• harms
• prejudices
• disfavors
• hurts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advantages
• gains
• favors

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of penalties

The Big 12 did not mention what the penalties would be for programs that bring back NBA, NFL or WNBA players to their teams. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Had Meta refused to settle and lost, the company could have faced as much as $200 billion in combined penalties, Reuters reported — suggesting that the social media giant was probably at least somewhat concerned about the possibility of a loss. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026

Today's top stories Meta has agreed to pay states up to $17 billion in penalties as part of a settlement agreement for a landmark federal child safety lawsuit. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

The states argued that penalties could reach hundreds of billions of dollars. — Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

The sweeping secondary sanctions unveiled by Bessent include penalties for Iranian trade partners in sectors that the Islamic Republic uses to prop its economy, such as digital assets, technology and shipping. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Most local storage upgrades for each new Mac model come with four-figure penalties. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

The bill, known as the Safe Schools Transparency Act, would require schools to notify families of threats and safety plans, enact penalties for failure to notify families of threats and reinstate the Task Force for Safer Schools. — Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026

Those are pretty standard penalties, but then there are two creative add-on disciplinary measures. — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2026