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

And even in the areas where vending was regulated, police said violators rarely faced penalties or paid their citations. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2026

The Horned Frogs committed multiple penalties that took points off the board or allowed Arizona to keep drives alive in their defeat Friday night. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026

Missouri lost multiple reviews on the day and had five penalties that cost the Tigers 45 yards. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 2026

The additional charges of concealing and defiling a dead body carry lesser penalties under Virginia law, CNN affiliate WUSA reported. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2026

Along with ordering Mused to pay $151,000 in penalties, the court also barred him from possessing gambling machines or drug paraphernalia at his two other stores in the city. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2026

On Flock cameras, VanDuyne said the cameras provide law enforcement with a tool to solve crimes, but believes there should be strict penalties to prevent officer misuse. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026

Last month, Meta was ordered to pay $25 billion in penalties by a New Mexico court as part of a data privacy case that stemmed from the company's Cambridge Analytica scandal from nearly a decade ago. — Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

The Dolphins were 1 of 2 in the red zone, had six penalties for 50 yards (New England had seven for 46 yards), and tied in the turnover battle, 1-1. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026