Penalty — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈpe-nᵊl-tē/ pen·al·ty

Meaning & Definition of Penalty

Penalty (noun)

  1. the suffering in person, rights, or property that is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime or public offense
  2. the suffering or the sum to be forfeited to which a person agrees to be subjected in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations
  3. disadvantage, loss, or hardship due to some action

Penalty (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a sum of money to be paid as a punishment

    "the penalty for speeding is $10 for every mile over the speed limit"

    similar: damages, fine, forfeit, forfeiture, mulct
    related: reparations, assessment, award, compensation, indemnity

  2. 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"

    similar: castigation, chastisement, comeuppance, correction, desert(s), discipline, nemesis, punishment, wrath
    related: reprisal, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance, assessment, charge, fine, mulct, example, sentence, confinement, imprisonment, incarceration, condemnation, damnation, denouncement, censure, criticism, rebuke, reprimand, reproof
    near: amnesty, indemnity, pardon, parole, acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication, exemption, immunity, impunity, release, commutation, reprieve, absolution, forgiveness, remission, remitment, condonation, disregard, overlooking

  3. the negative result caused by something that creates difficulty for achieving success

    "suffered the penalty of his decision to leave school without graduating"

    similar: despite, detriment, disadvantage, disfavor
    related: deficit, deprivation, expense, loss, damage, harm, hurt, injury, prejudice
    opposite: advantage, favor
    near: gain

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Penalty

The most common words with a similar meaning to Penalty:

damages, fine, forfeit, forfeiture, mulct, castigation, chastisement, comeuppance, correction, desert(s), discipline, nemesis, punishment, wrath, despite, detriment, disadvantage, disfavor

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Penalty

Words with the opposite meaning of Penalty:

advantage, favor

Related Words for Penalty

reparations, assessment, award, compensation, indemnity, reprisal, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance, charge, example, sentence, confinement, imprisonment, incarceration, condemnation, damnation, denouncement, censure, criticism, rebuke, reprimand, reproof, deficit, deprivation, expense, loss, damage, harm

Near Antonyms of Penalty

amnesty, indemnity, pardon, parole, acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication, exemption, immunity, impunity, release, commutation, reprieve, absolution, forgiveness, remission, remitment, condonation, disregard, overlooking, gain

Word Forms of Penalty

Inflections: penalties

Derived words: penalty (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Penalty

Middle English penalte, from Middle French penalité, from Medieval Latin poenalitas, from Latin poenalis

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Penalty

Words & Phrases Containing Penalty

penalty box, penalty kick, penalty shot, death penalty, major penalty, minor penalty, the death penalty

Frequently Asked Questions about Penalty

What does "Penalty" mean?

"Penalty" means the suffering in person, rights, or property that is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime or public offense. As a noun, it is defined as: the suffering in person, rights, or property that is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime or public offense. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Penalty"?

Other words for "Penalty" include damages, fine, forfeit, forfeiture, mulct, castigation, chastisement and comeuppance. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Penalty" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Penalty"?

There are 51 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Penalty". Common alternatives include damages, fine, forfeit, forfeiture, mulct, castigation, chastisement, comeuppance, correction and desert(s).

What is the opposite of "Penalty"?

Antonyms of "Penalty" include advantage and favor. Near antonyms include amnesty, indemnity, pardon and parole.

How do you use "Penalty" in a sentence?

Examples of "Penalty" in a sentence: "the penalty for speeding is $10 for every mile over the speed limit"; "in some cases, the new penalties for drug offenses were harsher than those for violent crimes"; "suffered the penalty of his decision to leave school without graduating".

Is "Penalty" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Penalty" is a noun.

Is "Penalty" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Penalty" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Penalty"?

"Penalty" is pronounced /ˈpe-nᵊl-tē/ and divided into syllables as pen·al·ty.