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

Part of the reform focused on eliminating misdemeanor criminal penalties, arrests and jail time for unlicensed mobile food vendors and replacing them with civil violations and fines. — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Parents or guardians of minors could be held responsible for administrative penalties, but could not be held criminally responsible. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Another bill, Menin said, would pay whistleblowers a significant amount of penalties. — Ian Thomas,colleen McKown, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

During the campaign, Lula sought to address those concerns by proposing a ban on sports betting, announcing a debt renegotiation program and backing tougher penalties for minors who commit crimes. — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026

In March 2000, Albany State was handed a two-year ban on playing postseason football as part of a list of penalties handed out by the NCAA. — Mcclain Baxley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Bolsonaro, meanwhile, campaigned on harsher criminal penalties, tougher policing, lower taxes, and cuts to government spending. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Defensive tackle Karl Brooks, who was called for one of those roughing penalties, declined to speak with reporters after the game. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Regulators could go easy on a first significant violation, Cuban said, but should hit repeat offenders with much steeper penalties. — Emma Witman, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026