PENAL Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

penal

adjective

ˈpē-nᵊl

Definition of penal

as in punitive

inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment Australia was once a penal colony

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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 penal The museum, spanning a former cell block wing, is a deeply informative and well curated journey through the evolution of the nation’s penal system. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026 While the two men entered the Russian penal system around the same time, their cases differ significantly. — Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 The charges included seven counts of falsifying a record and one felony count of abuse of a resident of a penal facility. — Nichole Manna, ProPublica, 28 Apr. 2026 In the new South, one scrabbling to industrialize, business owners could now hire unpaid labor through the penal system. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for penal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penal

Adjective

Yet there are few examples in history of adversaries conceding to maximalist demands in the face of punitive bombing campaigns alone—even by the world’s greatest air force.

— Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
An exploration of self-perception and a non-punitive confrontation with the past.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of punitive

Adjective

In general, correctional officers should not be involved with inmates’ medical decisions, but health care providers do not have the authority to remove restraints; such decisions reside with the correctional facility.

— M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026
Just under 34,000 employees work for the agency, but not all are correctional officers.

— Scott Peyton, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of correctional

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pen

penal

penalize

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“Penal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penal. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of penal

adjective

Example Sentences

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