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
Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league’s competitive integrity.
—
Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
His priorities include pushing for harsher penalties for violent criminals and reducing California families’ tax burdens.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league’s competitive integrity.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Tributes from other athletes competing in Milan Cortina were permitted without penalty, including American figure skater Maxim Naumov displaying a photo of his late parents who were killed in a plane crash last year.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
His priorities include pushing for harsher penalties for violent criminals and reducing California families’ tax burdens.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league’s competitive integrity.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Tributes from other athletes competing in Milan Cortina were permitted without penalty, including American figure skater Maxim Naumov displaying a photo of his late parents who were killed in a plane crash last year.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
-
Under pressure from governments, including threats of bans and fines, X restricted Grok’s ability to generate certain explicit images last month.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Now, one town in the region is looking to maintain its enduring beauty — and its global allure — by proposing a fine on locals who leave out their trash cans too long.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, said Clark deserved a tougher punishment, including being barred from practicing law in the state.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Prosecutors in the case recommended the death penalty as punishment for Yoon, given the severity of his crimes.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The war in Ukraine has only deepened Russia’s disadvantages.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Stewart nullified the size disadvantage with his speed and relentless style.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The complaint does not list a specific dollar amount the city is seeking in damages.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The photoshoot was themed around the seven deadly sins, with Rondot being assigned to portray wrath.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
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Get ready for the wrath of the readers.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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American farmers say an oversupply of eggs is forcing them to sell at rock-bottom rates, while expenses like packaging and shipping continue to climb.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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The parents or hosts bearing a disproportionate share of the expense is not surprising, and should not be a cause of embarrassment as long as proper gratitude is expressed.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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