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punitive damages
plural noun
: damages awarded in excess of compensation to the plaintiff to punish a defendant for a serious wrong
Examples of punitive damages in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Plaintiffs sought a whopping $6 billion in punitive damages.
—Julie Coleman, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
In addition, legal fees—and in some cases punitive damages—are also being sought.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
The estate is hoping to have Gossett stand trial for the death of Edwards and the city to award the estate with compensatory damages and punitive damages for Edwards' death.
—Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Oct. 2024
The Dodgers were required to pay for medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages, but did not have to pay punitive damages.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1858, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Punitive damages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punitive%20damages. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Legal Definition
punitive damages
see damage sense 2
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