penal

Related to punishment, especially punishment given by the law.

• The country changed its penal code.
• Prison conditions are central to penal reform.
• The island once served as a penal colony.

Similar words: penary, penitentiary

Common phrases: penal code, penal system, penal colony, penal reform

So high or expensive that it feels like a punishment.

• The bank charged penal interest.
• Small businesses faced penal borrowing rates.
• Customers complained about the penal charges for late payment.

Similar words: exorbitant, punitive, excessive

Opposites: reasonable

Common phrases: penal interest, penal rate, penal charges, penal tax

Describing an act for which someone can be punished by law.

• The act was a penal offence.
• The statute lists several penal offences.
• Conduct once treated as a penal offence is now legal.

Similar words: punishable

Common phrases: penal offence, penal act