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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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
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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 6 Feb. 2025.
Legal Definition
punitive damages
see damage sense 2
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