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
But the penalty kill, led by goalie Matt Wright (12 saves), staved off the first to get back to one-man down, and Ryan scooped a loose puck from the neutral zone for a drive to the net.
—
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
While Congress and the courts reversed some of the cuts many paid penalties and continue to do so.
—Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
Texas should end outdated hemp and marijuana prohibitions with responsible reform through my Cultivate Texas Act—legalizing adult cannabis (21+) regulated like alcohol: strict youth prevention, product testing/labeling, no public use, heavy penalties for minors.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
When tax debt escalates into IRS notices, penalties and collection actions, many taxpayers look for professional tax relief help navigating the system.
—Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
While Congress and the courts reversed some of the cuts many paid penalties and continue to do so.
—Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
Texas should end outdated hemp and marijuana prohibitions with responsible reform through my Cultivate Texas Act—legalizing adult cannabis (21+) regulated like alcohol: strict youth prevention, product testing/labeling, no public use, heavy penalties for minors.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
When tax debt escalates into IRS notices, penalties and collection actions, many taxpayers look for professional tax relief help navigating the system.
—Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
-
The charges of mail and wire fraud can lead to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
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And a third strike will raise the fine to $2,650 and the suspension to 21 days.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But legal punishments must align with human rights laws.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Not just taxation without representation, but punishment without due process.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Olen Zellweger committed a tripping penalty in overtime, but Anaheim killed the four-on-three disadvantage.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Olen Zellweger committed a tripping penalty in overtime, but Anaheim killed the 4-on-3 disadvantage.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Goldie’s claim was for possession of the home, not being awarded financial damages.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
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Judge Gutierrez reasoned that jurors’ confusion about the evidence was apparent in their assessment of damages.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The White Stripes frontman may have incurred the wrath of Swifties with his comments in a recent interview.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
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But questions swirled about if even that would survive nature’s wrath for two-and-a-half centuries.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Crandall said funds raised will assist with funeral and memorial expenses, travel costs and other unexpected costs.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
5 Mar. 2026
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This income covers official, charitable, and private expenses of William, his wife Kate Middleton, and their three children.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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