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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penalty
Trump pledged in his inaugural address that tariffs would be coming and said foreign countries would be paying the trade penalties, even though those taxes are currently paid by domestic importers and often passed along to consumers.
—
Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
However, Democrats were quick to note that the ex-sister-in-law not only put her name on the affidavit but swore an oath under a penalty of perjury.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
The Rams got the ball again with 2:32 remaining and Stafford led them into the red zone, only for the drive to be halted by a penalty and a sack.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
The Texans’ Kris Boyd also tacked on 13 yards with a penalty for throwing his helmet on the field.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for penalty 
Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
However, Democrats were quick to note that the ex-sister-in-law not only put her name on the affidavit but swore an oath under a penalty of perjury.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
The Rams got the ball again with 2:32 remaining and Stafford led them into the red zone, only for the drive to be halted by a penalty and a sack.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
The Texans’ Kris Boyd also tacked on 13 yards with a penalty for throwing his helmet on the field.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
-
Sentenced to 30 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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If enforced, the law would impose hefty fines on app store providers, like Apple and Google, as well as cloud computing firm Oracle, which provides internet hosting services for TikTok.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Please remember that Rikers is not meant to be a place for punishment.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
28 Jan. 2025
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Only in the mid-nineteenth century did the English word become synonymous with the idea of time coming to a full stop, signalling both punishment and redemption.—
Arthur Krystal,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Sandwich Generation Is A Critical Talent Pool Employers that do not address the increasing eldercare demands on their workforce are likely to face a competitive disadvantage.—
Michelle Travis,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Van Rijswijk suggested the discrepancy across the various jurisdictions is likely to leave European banks at a disadvantage.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Bruno Fernandes volleyed in a stoppage-time winner, saving United’s electrical equipment from Ruben Amorim’s wrath and keeping them in shape to progress to the round of 16 automatically.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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Georgia pecan farmers also suffered from the wrath of Helene, losing nearly a third of the state’s annual harvest.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While stadium concert treks by Taylor Swift and Coldplay set records in 2024, the year also saw multiple tours and festivals canceled because of soaring expenses and low ticket sales.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
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There are also likely to be extra post-flight charges for extra flight time, the security stops inbound and other expenses that will be passed along to the customer.—
Doug Gollan,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near penalty
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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