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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 jury also wasn't allowed to award punitive damages for invasion of privacy because the judge ruled Netflix and Realhouse didn't act with malice.
—Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Dec. 2024
Her second case against Trump ended in an award of $18.3 million award in compensatory damages for injury to Carroll’s reputation, plus $65 million for punitive damages.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
The jury also awarded the victims more than $200,000 each in punitive damages.
—Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
Doe is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in the suit.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 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 27 Dec. 2024.
Legal Definition
punitive damages
see damage sense 2
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