as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
Australia was once a penal colony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
Navalny died after languishing in Russia's brutal penal system for over 35 months.
—
Jacob Knutson, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024
Whelan was sent to a penal camp in Mordovia, a region about 300 miles east of Moscow known for its network of prisons.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2024
As New York’s governor, Roosevelt had championed a fusion of penal reform and vigilance against lawbreakers.
—Anthony Gregory / Made By History, TIME, 23 July 2024
Every age treats its penal system as natural, inevitable, and regrettable.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for penal 
Jacob Knutson, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024
Whelan was sent to a penal camp in Mordovia, a region about 300 miles east of Moscow known for its network of prisons.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2024
As New York’s governor, Roosevelt had championed a fusion of penal reform and vigilance against lawbreakers.
—Anthony Gregory / Made By History, TIME, 23 July 2024
Every age treats its penal system as natural, inevitable, and regrettable.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for penal
Thesaurus Entries Near penal
Cite this Entry
“Penal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penal. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share