PENALTY Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

penalty

noun

ˈpe-nᵊl-tē

Definition of penalty

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

Relevance

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

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

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 9-year-old foster child Jakob Blodgett died from diabetes complications at an Arizona group home, the state issued a violation but imposed no fines or license penalties. — Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Formula 1’s 2026 Monaco Grand Prix results have been overturned again, as the FIA International Court of Appeal determined the time penalties initially lodged against Pierre Gasly will stand. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Milei also announced plans to impose economic penalties aimed at stopping the development of the Sea Lion oil project, a major offshore oil development roughly 220 kilometers (137 miles) north of the Falkland Islands. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026 Tech also committed nine penalties, the most in Key’s tenure as full-time coach, according to Stathead. — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for penalty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penalty

Noun

If convicted, Miller could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the cyberstalking charge and two years for making false statements, along with fines of up to $250,000.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Note that penalty relief doesn’t erase the underlying taxes and only removes or reduces the extra fines and fees added to your balance.

— Jamela Adam, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fine

Noun

Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment.

— Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Hisbah members also face widespread allegations of rights abuses in their enforcement operations, including subjecting offenders to dehumanizing punishments such as public beatings or shaming.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of punishment

Noun

Consider these advantages and disadvantages before choosing an ARM.

— Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Similarly, although benefits of smaller class sizes are real, at least for economically disadvantaged kids in early grades, uniform caps put high-poverty schools at a competitive disadvantage (because other working conditions are more difficult).

— David Griffith, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of disadvantage

Noun

The Family Dollar employee suffered damages, including losses in compensation and benefits, medical expenses, and anxiety and emotional distress, according to the EEOC.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
The suit seeks unspecified damages for claims including legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and racketeering.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of damages

Noun

Despite Erasmus’s wrath, the Renaissance cut-and-pasters were on a roll—for a while.

— Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
There are a couple of shocking narrative twists at the end, with Alice potentially unleashing her wrath, and the revelation of Catherine’s role in Isabel’s death.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrath

Noun

Others argued the city cannot afford massive new spending on police, its greatest expense, and must make the department more efficient.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
The Family Dollar employee suffered damages, including losses in compensation and benefits, medical expenses, and anxiety and emotional distress, according to the EEOC.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of expense

Browse Nearby Words

penalties

penalty

penchant

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penalty. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of penalty

noun

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