as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
Australia was once a penal colony
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Recent Examples of penal
The county prisoners held at the site were moved to Milwaukee County's new penal farm in what was then the Town of Franklin.
—
Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
The authorities pledged that the facility would be run in accordance with standard legal norms and penal practices, unlike its predecessor.
—Richard J. Evans, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
On Tuesday, Jamall Rabb Russell, 39, pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of residents of penal facilities and misconduct in public office, and Sarah Anne Margaret Ransbottom, 35, pleaded not guilty to a charge of misconduct in public office.
—Vanessa Swales, Journal Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2024
Navalny died after languishing in Russia's brutal penal system for over 35 months.
—Jacob Knutson, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for penal 
Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
The authorities pledged that the facility would be run in accordance with standard legal norms and penal practices, unlike its predecessor.
—Richard J. Evans, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
On Tuesday, Jamall Rabb Russell, 39, pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of residents of penal facilities and misconduct in public office, and Sarah Anne Margaret Ransbottom, 35, pleaded not guilty to a charge of misconduct in public office.
—Vanessa Swales, Journal Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2024
Navalny died after languishing in Russia's brutal penal system for over 35 months.
—Jacob Knutson, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for penal
Thesaurus Entries Near penal
Cite this Entry
“Penal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penal. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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