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
People who received such notices and paid penalties before February 2022 are not part of the lawsuit and apparently have no legal recourse because of a statute of limitations on their claims.
—
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes fired the last of his team’s penalties over the bar to hand PSG the shootout win.
—James Robson, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Paris Saint-Germain made history on Saturday with its defeat of Arsenal in the Champions League final, prevailing 4-3 on penalties after the game was tied 1-1 after 120 minutes of play.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Players want expanded free agency and salary arbitration rights along with almost doubling the major league minimum, increasing the money high-revenue teams share with the less-wealthy clubs and establishing penalties for teams that drop below payroll floors.
—Ronald Blum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Charlotte’s restrictions prohibit many discretionary outdoor water uses and allow violations to carry fines beginning at $100, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses or if drought conditions worsen.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
With Roth IRAs, however, savers generally can withdraw their contributions at any time without taxes or penalties because the money was contributed after-tax.
—Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Washington argued the changes would ultimately reward good landlords and punish bad ones by adding new pressures and penalties that harm rule-breakers and steer renters away from them.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Understanding the rules is important, since noncompliance can result in significant penalties.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes fired the last of his team’s penalties over the bar to hand PSG the shootout win.
—James Robson, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Paris Saint-Germain made history on Saturday with its defeat of Arsenal in the Champions League final, prevailing 4-3 on penalties after the game was tied 1-1 after 120 minutes of play.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Players want expanded free agency and salary arbitration rights along with almost doubling the major league minimum, increasing the money high-revenue teams share with the less-wealthy clubs and establishing penalties for teams that drop below payroll floors.
—Ronald Blum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Charlotte’s restrictions prohibit many discretionary outdoor water uses and allow violations to carry fines beginning at $100, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses or if drought conditions worsen.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
With Roth IRAs, however, savers generally can withdraw their contributions at any time without taxes or penalties because the money was contributed after-tax.
—Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Washington argued the changes would ultimately reward good landlords and punish bad ones by adding new pressures and penalties that harm rule-breakers and steer renters away from them.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Understanding the rules is important, since noncompliance can result in significant penalties.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalties
Noun
-
The carriers paid their fines and challenged them in circuit appeals courts, where judges’ panels ruled on the cases.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
-
Drivers across Pennsylvania who use a handheld cellphone behind the wheel can now face fines under Paul Miller's Law, as the one-year warning period for the new hands-free driving law comes to an end.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The punishments included solitary confinement and use of force.—
Julia Bowling,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
-
Because the costumes are designed by a master, there are hints, cues, little ways that each young lady is able to make her inner self visible, even when it must be done subtlety to avoid the negative attention and terrifying punishments that Gilead’s leadership revels in.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
In comparison, the new players have their own advantages and disadvantages.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
-
One of the main disadvantages of this strategy is that standardization of products may be unsuccessful for meeting each customer’s needs.—
Ezgi Eyüboğlu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
If that appeals to you, hop aboard the complimentary shuttle and go to town—guests at the Ocean Club can charge expenses at Atlantis right to their room.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 May 2026
-
The money can help cover medical costs, mental health treatment, lost wages, funeral expenses and more — up to $70,000 in lifetime benefits.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalties. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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