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

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

The civil penalties won’t be elevated to criminal charges, and the Department of Motor Vehicles will not withhold the registration renewals of vehicles caught on the cameras. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Identifying set-piece takers gives you a fighting chance of cutting through the uncertainty, so who is likely to be on penalties and free kicks for each Premier League side, and who is worth your fantasy investment? — Holly Shand, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

One of those cases, brought by New Mexico, resulted in $942 million in damages and penalties and an order ​requiring Meta to change its platforms in the state. — Reuters, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026

There have been five personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the third quarter. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Enforcement and penalties involving e-bikes and e-motorcycles have ramped up in Orange County over the last year. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

If Claude’s labels fail, the AI Act carries steep penalties for violations, including fines up to 15 million euros, or 3 percent of a company’s worldwide annual revenue. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026

The penalties apply to trees that were in excellent, good or fair condition and not trees that are dying or hazardous. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026