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

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2
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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of penalty This means sanctions and penalties for anyone providing material support to the group. Neda Ulaby, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025 But Minnesota killed its first penalty of the game, then brought the crowd back to life with Boldy’s individual effort to boost the lead back to two goals. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, death penalty advocates are speaking out against the federal government’s decision to pursue capital punishment. Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025 The failure-to-file penalty corresponds to 5 percent of unpaid taxes per month or partial month, according to the agency, capped at 25 percent. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
  • That arrangement ended the appeal process, rescinded the suspension, and maintained a $5,000 fine, which was part of Chisholm’s initial discipline.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The report also noted that Lemonis has held out against the lawsuits and continues to fly the huge flags, which continue to incur fines.
    Luke Gentile, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The solution lies in addressing our housing shortage, not punishment.
    David Bonaccorsi, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In cases of employment, housing, and public accommodation, by simply using one’s freedom of speech to utter a biologically factual pronoun, a person could find him or herself in the crosshairs of a Colorado Civil Rights Division investigation and punishment or possibly a lawsuit.
    Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Everton is looking to break into this group but is at a disadvantage due to a period of financial and sporting uncertainty under its previous ownership, which led to points deductions during the 2022/23 season.
    James Nalton, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Pakistan has long been at a major disadvantage in its wars with India due to its vastly smaller land mass and population.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In September of that year a hurricane hit, and Long Island bore the brunt of its wrath, leaving only destruction in its wake.
    Elyssa Goodman, Them., 25 Apr. 2025
  • Poland has escaped much of Trump’s wrath over European defense spending, given that Warsaw is looking to invest close to 5% of its GDP on security this year and has repeatedly called on allies to up their own contributions in the arena.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The drop in expenses, the company said, was primarily due to lower sports programming costs at Peacock and its domestic television networks.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivision said its first quarter swung to a profit as the company reduced expenses and saw its streaming business gain traction, even as key areas of revenue experienced declines.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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