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
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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 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 27 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

punitive damages

see damage sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on punitive damages

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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