Synonyms for penalty
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
1. Punishment — A punishment for violating rules of procedure
punishment, sanction, sentence, retribution, penance, discipline, correction, penalization, penalisation UK, pain dated, punition dated
Other
forfeit, fine, price, mulct rare, amercement rare
Definitions
- n. 1
A punishment for violating rules of procedure.
Related words
Forms
- Plural
- penalties → punishments, sanctions, sentences, retributions…
Example sentences
- sentence This sentence states exactly how the writer feels.
- punishment In my family, the punishment for lying was severe.
- sanction They will not sanction copying without permission.
- retribution You can make your choice freely without fear of retribution.
- forfeit She came forth to forfeit her fourth-place medal.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| penalty | steady | |
| sentence | steady | |
| punishment | steady | |
| sanction | falling | |
| retribution | rising | |
| forfeit | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- fine1, pain1
- 5 letters
- price1, mulct1
- 7 letters
- forfeit2, penance2
- 8 letters
- sentence2, sanction2, punition
- 10 letters
- punishment3, discipline3, correction3, amercement
- 11 letters
- retribution4
- 12 letters
- penalization, penalisation
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (forfeit2 = 2 syllables).