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View synonyms for penalty

penalty

[ pen-l-tee ]

noun

, plural pen·al·ties.
  1. a punishment imposed or incurred for a violation of law or rule.
  2. a loss, forfeiture, suffering, or the like, to which one subjects oneself by nonfulfillment of some obligation.
  3. something that is forfeited, as a sum of money.
  4. a disadvantage imposed upon one of the competitors or upon one side for infraction of the rules of a game, sport, etc.
  5. consequence or disadvantage attached to any action, condition, etc.


penalty

/ ˈpɛnəltɪ /

noun

  1. a legal or official punishment, such as a term of imprisonment
  2. some other form of punishment, such as a fine or forfeit for not fulfilling a contract
  3. loss, suffering, or other unfortunate result of one's own action, error, etc
  4. sport games a handicap awarded against a player or team for illegal play, such as a free shot at goal by the opposing team, loss of points, etc


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Word History and Origins

Origin of penalty1

1505–15; Medieval Latin poenālitās. See penal, -ty 2

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Word History and Origins

Origin of penalty1

C16: from Medieval Latin poenālitās penalty; see penal

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Example Sentences

The CPUC also did not pursue cases against bankrupt companies, nor did it pursue punitive actions like revoking utilities’ permits or charging interest and penalties.

Patrick Mahomes looked human for the first time in a very long time, although some of Kansas City’s problems came down to bad luck and unnecessary penalties.

The manual actions warrant penalties for content violations including adult content, manipulated media, misleading content, and profanity.

The two appeared to get their feet tangled and both went down, but Breeland was flagged for pass interference, a 34-yard penalty that gave Tampa Bay a first down at the Chiefs’ 24-yard line.

Manual actions are when Google human reviewers apply a penalty to a website or webpages after it has come to Google’s attention that something was done that was not in accordance with Google’s posted webmaster guidelines.

The only great thing he did as governor was to insist that the death penalty was just wrong.

He rebuffed calls to institute the death penalty, and his last term as governor ended in his defeat.

Last summer, Louisiana also banned non-legal adoption, with offenders facing a penalty of $5,000 and up to five years in prison.

Tax evasion carries a maximum penalty of five years, and thus it seems likely that Grimm would be covered by the provision.

The penalty is only rarely imposed, as members often resign before they can be voted out of Congress.

But a little earlier still, to be an Infidel was to be an outlaw, subject to the penalty of death.

By the old law a drunken man who made a contract was still liable, and required to fulfill as a penalty for his conduct.

My man in the market has orders to send me Old Inn chickens and eggs, on penalty of losing my custom.

I don't care, so long as she ain't allowed to do as she pleases and no questions asked and no penalty paid.

It visited an offence with a penalty of which the offender, at the time when he offended, had no notice.

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penal servitudepenalty area