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
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied Johnson's request to commute his death sentence to a lesser penalty on Friday.
—
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
So there was something of a lock-in penalty for building with BTF Edition hardware and going all in.
—John Burek, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
He was arrested Friday and remains in custody while facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2025
What are penalties for driving under the influence?
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
So there was something of a lock-in penalty for building with BTF Edition hardware and going all in.
—John Burek, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
He was arrested Friday and remains in custody while facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2025
What are penalties for driving under the influence?
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
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People found to be distributing images are subject to up to three years in prison, alongside fines.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
20 May 2025
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If convicted, Representative McIver could face up to one year in prison and/or a fine, as she is accused of violating Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 111(a)(1).—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
Noun
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On the same day she was sworn into office, Pirro unveiled on Wednesday evening the punishment for two men who carried out a broad-daylight drive-by shooting near a D.C. elementary school.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2025
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Though itself a form of punishment, the breathalyzers were also pitched as a compromise to prevent people from losing their driving privileges entirely—something that can be devastating in a country where driving is often essential for work and daily life.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
How Credit Cards Fit Into Modern Financial Strategies From a consumer perspective, there are advantages and disadvantages to using credit cards for bill payments.—
Rick Watkin,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Its onerous regulations put every single EU company at a disadvantage globally with technological competitors.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
No one wants to die in an America of wrath and vengeance.—
Christine Ledbetter,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
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Against this backdrop, Moscow may be tempted to scare Europe into submission, and some Europeans might choose appeasement rather than risk Russia’s wrath.—
Liana Fix,
Foreign Affairs,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Archway Homes will buy the home and make the repairs needed, relieving the sellers of the hassle and expense.—
Archway Homes,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2025
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Earlier this year, after failing to meet its own October deadline for the rebate’s relaunch, the government passed a measure allowing producers to claim expenses accrued in the final months of 2024 and the start of 2025.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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