penal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The interim government is prosecuting Atef Najib under the 1949 penal code, a statute written for ordinary murder, not for crimes against humanity.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

Russian human rights activist Osechkin, 44, who lives in France under police protection, said Ukrainian prisoners are often made "invisible" within the penal system, and has even documented cases of their names being changed.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

“As well as realistic criminal investigation when they’ve committed a crime in violation of a penal code.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Just over a year later, he died in the Polar Wolf penal colony above the Arctic Circle.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

While young minority men with little schooling have always had relatively high rates of incarceration, “before the 1980s the penal system was not a dominant presence in the disadvantaged neighborhoods.”

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander