1
as in fine
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 punishment
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 disadvantage
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 penalty
Prior to Mbappe’s third, Kairat thought they had been awarded a penalty but VAR deemed Valeri Gromyko had slipped rather than been fouled by Dani Ceballos and a valiant effort by the home team ended without a goal.
—
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Softening emission penalties and policy target changes are also expected to drive a rebound in demand for EVs.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
An appeals court subsequently tossed the financial penalty but upheld the finding that Trump committed fraud.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2025
Huntington Bank CDs Learn More Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
From 0.50% to 4.08% APY
Terms
From one month to 6 years
Minimum balance
$1,000
Monthly fee
None
Early withdrawal penalty fee
Early withdrawal penalty applies.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Softening emission penalties and policy target changes are also expected to drive a rebound in demand for EVs.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
An appeals court subsequently tossed the financial penalty but upheld the finding that Trump committed fraud.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2025
Huntington Bank CDs Learn More Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
From 0.50% to 4.08% APY
Terms
From one month to 6 years
Minimum balance
$1,000
Monthly fee
None
Early withdrawal penalty fee
Early withdrawal penalty applies.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
-
Yet leadership just issues fines and looks the other way.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Judge Arun Subrahmanian also issued a fine of $500,000 on Combs - the maximum possible for his crime.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Forced to become a bloodsucker as part of Bill's punishment for vanquishing another, Deborah Ann Woll's Jessica struggles with her new, flesh-craving lifestyle.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
-
While Combs' defense team is seeking a 14-month sentence, prosecutors are hoping for a harsher punishment, lobbying the judge to hand down 11 years.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Without proximity to these prestigious networks, they’re left to compete at a distinct disadvantage.—
Sarah Maokosy,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The bullpen goes to the Phillies, but the Dodgers will try to mitigate that disadvantage with some of their extra starters.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The daycare owners also signed away their right to sue for flood damages, but the state did not place a restrictive covenant on their remaining property.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Around $150,000 in attorney’s fees, damages and more, actually.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Winter's wrath continues with another cold spell predicted for mid-February.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Oct. 2025
-
When Hernán helps Julia and her young daughter, Maribel, navigate treacherous borderlands, their desperate journey triggers the wrath of a ruthless trafficking syndicate.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
All the horses' feed is paid for by Metro Nashville and the handler is given a $2,500 annual stipend for medical expenses.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
-
In addition to the great expense, many of the shows revolved around songs from old movies and movie musicals.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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