as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
Australia was once a penal colony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 penal
But when a president, at the end of his term in office, in the interest of fairness, corrects mistakes made by the penal system during his or a previous president's term, that is often a grace note of his time in office.
—
Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for penal
Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for penal
Cite this Entry
“Penal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penal. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share