penaltynoun [ C ]
uk/ˈpen.əl.ti/us/ˈpen.əl.ti/penalty noun [ C ] (PUNISHMENT)
B2 a punishment, or the usual punishment, for doing something that is against a law:
The law carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.
They asked for the maximum penalty for hoax calls to be increased to one year.
The protesters were told to clear the area around the building, on penalty of arrest (= or be arrested) if they did not.
B2 a type of punishment, often involving paying money, that is given to you if you break an agreement or do not follow rules:
Currently, ticket holders pay a penalty equal to 25 percent of the ticket price when they change their flight plans.
There was a penalty clause which said you had to pay half the cost if you cancelled your booking.
B2 an advantage given in some sports to a team or player when the opposing team or player breaks a rule:
The referee awarded (= gave) a penalty kick.
Hysen handled the ball and conceded the penalty that gave Manchester United the lead.
More examples
- The maximum penalty for the offence is a $1000 fine.
- Execution is still the penalty in some states for murder.
- I had to pay a penalty fee when my cheque bounced.
- They are campaigning for stiffer penalties for people who drink and drive.
- This offence carries a fixed penalty.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Punishing & punishments
- bar
- be brought/called to account idiom
- boot
- bring
- bum rap
- carrot
- chastise
- clobber
- crucify
- heads will roll! idiom
- kick
- kick (some) ass idiom
- non-custodial
- parking ticket
- penal
- skin sb alive idiom
- string
- strip
- throw
- throw the book at sb idiom
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
General terms used in ball sports
penalty noun [ C ] (DISADVANTAGE)
a disadvantage brought about as a result of a situation or action:
Loss of privacy is one of the penalties of success.
She has paid a heavy penalty for speaking the truth.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Advantage and disadvantage
- a free ride idiom
- a stick to beat sb with idiom
- advantage
- an ace up your sleeve idiom
- attraction
- be/stay/keep one jump ahead idiom
- cash
- cash in on sth
- edge
- fish
- in the right place at the right time idiom
- it's tough at the top idiom
- lock in sth
- lock sb out of sth
- lose out
- profit
- profit from sth
- upside
- you've got nothing to lose idiom
- your best/strongest/trump card idiom
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