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
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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
Then McNabb, part of a penalty kill that has erased 21 consecutive power plays in the postseason — including all 11 of the Ducks’ opportunities — doubled the lead 11 minutes later.
—
Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
People who were charged penalties during the three-year pandemic emergency have until July 10 to ask the IRS for their money back.
—Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 9 May 2026
San Diego Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal heard arguments Friday, May 8, from both the city and state regarding the appropriate penalty amount for violating state housing laws, as well as the effective start date for those fines.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
The companies were ordered to pay a total of $6 million in compensatory and punitive damages, with Meta responsible for 70% of the penalties.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
People who were charged penalties during the three-year pandemic emergency have until July 10 to ask the IRS for their money back.
—Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 9 May 2026
San Diego Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal heard arguments Friday, May 8, from both the city and state regarding the appropriate penalty amount for violating state housing laws, as well as the effective start date for those fines.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
The companies were ordered to pay a total of $6 million in compensatory and punitive damages, with Meta responsible for 70% of the penalties.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
-
The maximum penalty for the Class A misdemeanor is one year in the county jail and a $5,000 fine.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
Officials say current effort is not working City officials argue the current enforcement system has been ineffective because some businesses simply absorb fines as a cost of doing business.—
Drew Aunkst,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Jurors in a Fort Worth courtroom decided on Tanner Horner’s punishment after hearing about a month of testimony and evidence that included audio of Athena Strand’s last moments from inside the delivery van.—
Jamie Stengle,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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Smart also confirmed that Georgia’s NIL collective had begun issuing fines to players as punishment.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The United States’ withdrawal from the WHO, which took effect in January, has put American public health officials at a disadvantage, says David Larsen, PhD, professor and chair of the public health department at Syracuse University.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
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Instead, perhaps plucky Oklahoma, with all of its financial disadvantages, scheduling struggles and three-star players, could shake up the world.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Still, the agreement had left the door open for the Gossip Girl alum to seek damages and legal fees—though that option appears to be unavailable for the time being.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
13 May 2026
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While Capital One's lawsuit seeks damages, the bank said its primary goal of the litigation is to expose and deter bad actors and the firms that enable them.—
Stephanie Dhue,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The party also drew an appearance by Roger Ailes, the Fox News Channel chief who had faced Foxman’s wrath over the conspiracy musings of one-time Fox personality Beck.—
Ron Kampeas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
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Although their relationship begins as a love story, the book brings home the profits of Jacob’s earlier brutality—fate catches up to him, and everything that is love and passion sort of spoils into wrath and obsession.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
If a drug retails for $100 and a hospital can buy it for $60, then charges the patient or their insurance the full $100 price, the hospital then has $40 to put toward other expenses.—
Dené K. Dryden,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
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Winner is responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with Prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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