penalty

noun

ˈpe-nᵊl-tē How to pronounce penalty (audio)
Definition of penaltynext
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

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 penalty After the penalty granted by VAR, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped into the box and scored his first carrer goal in a World Cup knockout match. — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026 Guests were reportedly required to sign nondisclosure agreements before receiving any event details (although the NDAs were said not to have included any penalties for violating the terms). — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout Friday after the teams played to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes in Arlington, Texas. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 One such example created an indelible moment, Duro said, when retired Paraguayan player Roque Santa Cruz watched from the front row behind the goal as the team scored an upset over Germany in a penalty-kick thriller. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
  1. fine
  2. punishment
  3. disadvantage
  4. damages
  5. wrath
  6. expense
Noun
  • The public funds cannot be used for legal costs, fines or to pay back personal loans to a campaign.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Violators get warning letters before fines are given, and ultimately, water may be disconnected.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of fine
Noun
  • Wildfires have also scorched thousands of acres in Arizona, which led Phoenix to ban all fireworks on city property including parks and within 1 mile of nature preserves, with punishments including $2,500 fines.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • The parliament in England created laws against Quakers, forbidding them to worship freely, charging them with punishments for refusing to take oaths or refusing to remove their hats.
    — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of punishment
Noun
  • Many of them are single mothers due to structural disadvantages.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026
  • Importantly, the goal isn’t to put junior employees at a disadvantage.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of disadvantage
Noun
  • In the lawsuit, Flagg is asking for injunctive relief, damages, profits and attorneys' fees, arguing Swift's use of the phrase could create consumer confusion and damage the value of her existing brand.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • According to the complaint, the Barbours are seeking personal injury damages for their physical injuries, and survival and wrongful death damages for Avila's estate.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of damages
Noun
  • But some have faced pushback, including when two Boise men faced the wrath of their homeowners association for replacing their grass with turf, in part to save water.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
  • Or, faced with the wrath of the huge Baby Boom generation — who tend to be voters and vociferous — will Congress act in time?
    — Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Definition of wrath
Noun
  • The results include deducted one-off expenses for employee bonus provisions.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Since Calleja’s near-fatal fall, over $42,000 ($61,000 AUD) has been donated to a fundraiser organized by his football club to help cover medical expenses.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of expense

Browse Nearby Words

penalties
penalty
penchant
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Cite this Entry

“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on penalty

Nglish: Translation of penalty for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about penalty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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