Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
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.
a) disadvantage, loss, or hardship due to some action
b) a disadvantage (as loss of yardage, time, or possession of the ball or an addition to or subtraction from the score) imposed on a team or competitor for violation of the rules of a sport
4.
points scored in bridge by the side that defeats the opposing contract - usually used in plural
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
penalty (noun)1.
a sum of money to be paid as a punishment
SYNONIMS:
damages, forfeit, forfeiture, mulct, penaltyRELATED WORDS:
reparations; assessment, award, compensation; indemnity2.
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense
SYNONIMS:
castigation, chastisement, comeuppance, correction, desert(s), discipline, nemesis, penalty, wrathRELATED WORDS:
reprisal, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance; assessment, charge, fine, mulct; example, sentence; confinement, imprisonment, incarceration; condemnation, damnation, denouncement; censure, criticism, rebuke, reprimand, reproofNEAR ANTONYMS:
amnesty, indemnity, pardon, parole; acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication; exemption, immunity, impunity; release; commutation, reprieve; absolution, forgiveness, remission, remitment; condonation, disregard, overlooking