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
No penalty was called on the play late in the second period of the teams’ game Sunday.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Not only will utility executives suffer no penalties, but Edison retains its monopoly, deserved or not.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
City went 2-1 ahead in the 80th minute after Erling Haaland scored from the penalty spot, only for Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham to then hit back for the Spanish side.
—Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
That would exceed the highest CBT penalty threshold, set at $301 million this season, for the second year in a row.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Not only will utility executives suffer no penalties, but Edison retains its monopoly, deserved or not.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
City went 2-1 ahead in the 80th minute after Erling Haaland scored from the penalty spot, only for Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham to then hit back for the Spanish side.
—Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
That would exceed the highest CBT penalty threshold, set at $301 million this season, for the second year in a row.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
-
Google last week agreed to pay €326 million ($341 million) in taxes, fines and interest for not paying taxes on income generated in Italy between 2015 and 2019, specifically on revenues generated by selling advertising space.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The star was also ordered to pay a $350 fine and court fees.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In fact, most international relations literature on cooperation finds a key role for enforcement mechanisms, assurance, and threats of punishment.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The State Supreme Court ruled last year that death by firing squad was a legal form of punishment even though it is largely viewed as an archaic form of justice that, according to polls, many Americans believe to be inhumane.—
Eduardo Medina,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Magic’s ineptitude puts them at a severe disadvantage on most nights.—
Josh Robbins,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
-
On Reddit, a new mom ranted about how working conditions in corporate America put parents at a disadvantage.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The permitting reform that was supposed to pass in parallel with the climate bill never became law because of Republican recalcitrance and Democratic fears of incurring the wrath of environmentalists.—
Jason Furman,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Feb. 2025
-
In a nutshell, Queen Cassiopeia’s vanity was only eclipsed by the wrath of Greek gods, namely Hera, the queen of the gods, and Poseidon, the god of the sea.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Lining up these alternatives to Russian gas has been costly, OMV says, even though the Austrian government, which owns 31 percent of OMV, contributed a portion of the expense.—
Stanley Reed,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Too often, that comes at the expense of what a club is: its history, its culture, its locality.—
Mark Critchley,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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