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
The Capitals are 17-7-1 in games their opponents commit more penalties.
—
ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
The other bill would decriminalize the substance, removing the current legal penalties that exist for anyone caught with some.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Ataraxis had incurred numerous interest-accruing penalties with the IRS for late or incorrect federal tax deposits and other filings with the IRS, resulting in significant tax liens, according to the complaint.
—Angela Palermo
april 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2026
His ability to draw penalties and drive pressure in the offensive zone feels unique to him, an evolution of Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar before him.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Delays are common if additional documentation is required, and interest and penalties can continue to accrue during that time.
—Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
The penalties imposed on attorney Stephen Brigandi include $15,500 in disciplinary sanctions and nearly $80,500 in opposing counsel’s legal fees.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Trump spent most of the first year of his second term using trade penalties as a weapon that would force other countries to bend to his will.
—Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
The company could face even more penalties in a second phase of the trial set to start in May, over whether Meta created a public nuisance.
—Shannon Bond, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
The other bill would decriminalize the substance, removing the current legal penalties that exist for anyone caught with some.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Ataraxis had incurred numerous interest-accruing penalties with the IRS for late or incorrect federal tax deposits and other filings with the IRS, resulting in significant tax liens, according to the complaint.
—Angela Palermo
april 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2026
His ability to draw penalties and drive pressure in the offensive zone feels unique to him, an evolution of Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar before him.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Delays are common if additional documentation is required, and interest and penalties can continue to accrue during that time.
—Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
The penalties imposed on attorney Stephen Brigandi include $15,500 in disciplinary sanctions and nearly $80,500 in opposing counsel’s legal fees.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Trump spent most of the first year of his second term using trade penalties as a weapon that would force other countries to bend to his will.
—Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
The company could face even more penalties in a second phase of the trial set to start in May, over whether Meta created a public nuisance.
—Shannon Bond, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalties
Noun
-
Again, Darvas said, Hungary could follow Poland's path by staying mostly closed to migration but still respecting EU law and thus ending those fines.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The new fines will range from $100 up to $1,000 for each offense, including increasing rent, decreasing services or refusing to renew a rental agreement because the tenant has complained about a housing violation in good faith.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The work that matters now is not designing punishments for China.—
Eyck Freymann,
Time,
17 Apr. 2026
-
None of the students involved in a group chat that shared racist slurs and antisemitic speech have faced suspension or expulsion since the chats came to light five weeks ago and Nuñez announced stiff punishments were on the table.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Each has its advantages and disadvantages.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Ross Dellenger, who covers business for On3, detailed UConn’s football financial disadvantages, the money earned by basketball.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The estate is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, funeral expenses, attorney's fees, and other relief, arguing that multiple parties share responsibility for Avery's death under Georgia law because their actions combined to cause a single fatal outcome.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Other requests include compensatory and punitive damages, front pay, attorney and witness fees, expenses and other relief the court deems necessary.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalties. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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