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
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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
Examples 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
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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
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Harsh punishment for traumatized children took its toll.—
Jazzmin Jiwa,
TIME,
16 Jan. 2025
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The proposition won 68% of the vote, and walked back some of the features of Prop. 47, which voters passed a decade earlier to reduce punishments for non-violent crimes.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacramento Bee,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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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Spot offers three types of pet insurance: accident-only, accident-and-illness coverage, and a two-tier wellness policy that covers routine expenses.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 Jan. 2025
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More frustrating, Fahn said, has been the inability to get a timely payment for living expenses.—
Laurence Darmiento,
Los Angeles Times,
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 30 Jan. 2025.
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