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
By leveraging standard x86 servers, the solution avoids markup penalties associated with traditional storage appliances while lowering the total cost of ownership.
—
Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The stock got a big lift in early September from an antitrust ruling by a judge, whose penalties came in lighter than shareholders feared.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
After a chaotic 90 seconds that included six penalties, Campbell sacked Young on fourth down to end the suspense.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
In some cases, however, the agency may waive these penalties.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The Panthers’ best plays were Arizona penalties.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
Late penalties and turnovers were the difference.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers and voters approved stiffer criminal penalties for smaller levels of theft and larger organized crime.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Yet, none has faced penalties like India.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The stock got a big lift in early September from an antitrust ruling by a judge, whose penalties came in lighter than shareholders feared.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
After a chaotic 90 seconds that included six penalties, Campbell sacked Young on fourth down to end the suspense.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
In some cases, however, the agency may waive these penalties.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The Panthers’ best plays were Arizona penalties.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
Late penalties and turnovers were the difference.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers and voters approved stiffer criminal penalties for smaller levels of theft and larger organized crime.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Yet, none has faced penalties like India.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalties
Noun
-
Worse still, oversights in storage and security expose sensitive content, prompting GDPR, CCPA or SOX violations as well as potential fines and reputational erosion.—
Daniel Fallmann,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Those relatively few poachers who do face justice often walk with minor fines and other penalties.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Regulatory punishments, rather than innovation inducements, are a massive drag on modern economies.—
David Doty,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
These surreal, blood-red dioramas depict the gruesome punishments awaiting sinners in the Chinese Buddhist afterlife.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Imposing port fees on Chinese ships will not change these structural disadvantages.—
Dan Ikenson,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The Native Hawaiian community struggles with higher rates of poverty and incarceration, so Hawaiian children may have educational disadvantages.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Profit is what is left over after expenses are deducted from sales.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
He is sponsored by spirits and supplement companies who help pay his travel expenses, but still works in construction during the off-season.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalties. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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