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
Perhaps after the leverage penalty in Indianapolis, Denver will do the same thing this year.
—
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
These social media companies could face penalties of up to $1 million, SB 771 stipulates.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
That’s a large penalty for not understanding ourselves.
—Margaret C. Andrews, Big Think, 16 Sep. 2025
Violators can also face federal criminal penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
These social media companies could face penalties of up to $1 million, SB 771 stipulates.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
That’s a large penalty for not understanding ourselves.
—Margaret C. Andrews, Big Think, 16 Sep. 2025
Violators can also face federal criminal penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty
Noun
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The bill will force cities in large counties in the state to allow projects on properties within one-half mile of certain transit stops, even on land that is not zoned for residential use, or face a fine for violating state law.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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San Diego City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell has admitted violating city record-keeping rules during her 2022 re-election campaign and agreed to pay a $300 fine to resolve the case brought by the San Diego Ethics Commission.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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By embedding halfway houses into the federal transition process, Bush underscored his belief that effective reentry programs could reduce recidivism and strengthen families, turning correctional policy toward rehabilitation as much as punishment.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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On Friday, Major League Baseball downgraded Chapman’s punishment to an undisclosed find, which was also part of the original punishment.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But Target is at a disadvantage trying to compete in shipping online orders with Amazon – the behemoth of the trade – and Walmart, which jumped out to a big lead over Target as Amazon’s biggest shipping competitor.—
Dan Gingiss,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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But families who cannot afford to hire an attorney could find themselves at a disadvantage when disagreements arise over services that cost districts more money, Russell said.—
Fred Clasen-Kelly,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The case, part of an ongoing lawfare effort in which local governments have been recruited to serve as plaintiffs, sought to hold the companies liable for damages the island suffered as a result of Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico in 2017.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The family is seeking $50 million in damages.—
Veronica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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One of Lecornu's first moves has been to abandon plans to eliminate two public holidays, ING noted, as the new PM tries to dispel some of the political wrath targeted at his predecessor's proposal — just one part of Bayrou's unpopular cost-cutting plans.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
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His client, wary of attracting anarchist wrath, told him to revise the plan.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Snowflake, one of the most popular cloud data warehouse platforms, often ranks as a company’s second-largest IT expense after its primary cloud provider.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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He is sponsored by spirits and supplement companies who help pay his travel expenses, but still works in construction during the off-season.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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