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 charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and fines, prosecutors said.
—
Michael Dorgan , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
But those penalties were eliminated in July’s tax and spending bill, saving the automakers billions.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
The pressure dialed up by Minnesota, along with costly penalties, put this offense in unfavorable spots throughout the game.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
And similar to hockey, penalties can lead to power play situations in which one team is undermanned.
—Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Michael Dorgan , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
But those penalties were eliminated in July’s tax and spending bill, saving the automakers billions.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
The pressure dialed up by Minnesota, along with costly penalties, put this offense in unfavorable spots throughout the game.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
And similar to hockey, penalties can lead to power play situations in which one team is undermanned.
—Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
-
In New Jersey, creating or sharing deceptive AI media can lead to prison time and fines.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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The fine was related to how users consented to data collection.—
Katrina Bishop,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Hence, taking them away is an appropriate punishment.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
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But if the thought of freezing cold isolation and bunk pods sounds more like punishment than adventure, Mongolia’s Gobi already offers glimpses of the otherworldly in a far more comfortable setting.—
Rosanna Philpott,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But detailed negotiations have dragged out, leaving the country’s key auto making industry at a disadvantage – subject to 25% US tariffs while its rivals in Japan and Europe have already secured much lower rates.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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The Republican Party may be at a disadvantage in next year's midterm elections, according to new polling.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Jurors were also tasked with deciding whether Zwerner was negligent and caused any of her own damages; if so, she would be barred from recovering any money from Parker, the judge instructed the jury.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
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Martinez is seeking over $135,000 in damages for her arrest.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Disney is incredibly unlikely to ever admit that politics were a factor in Doctor Who‘s cancellation, but Jimmy Kimmel’s brief suspension was revealing of the company’s desire to minimize MAGA wrath.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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Tarkenton and his Minnesota Vikings, of course, felt the Raiders’ wrath one January afternoon in Pasadena when Oakland trounced them in Super Bowl XI.—
Jon Becker,
Mercury News,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Mark Blinch / Getty Images In the ninth inning of a Game 1 romp, fans at Rogers Centre had some fun at Shohei Ohtani’s expense.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Donations will go toward assisting the Sullivan family with funeral expenses and the recovery process.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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