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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The plaintiff is seeking punitive damages and legal fees due to alleged negligence on behalf of the company and the property owner after receiving life-altering injuries at the party in 2022. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 The law bars neighbors from obtaining punitive damages in court unless a farm was implicated in criminal convictions or government enforcement actions. Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025 Combs is suing for defamation for an amount to be determined at trial, but no less than $50 million, including punitive damages. Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025 The plaintiffs in all five lawsuits are represented by attorney Danny Soong and seek unspecified punitive damages against Tran’s estate and unspecified compensatory damages against the studio. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for punitive damages 

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of punitive damages was in 1858

Dictionary Entries Near punitive damages

Cite this Entry

“Punitive damages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punitive%20damages. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

Legal Definition

punitive damages

see damage sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on punitive damages

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