punitive damages

plural noun

Synonyms of punitive damages

: 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.

Any creditor who willfully violates the stay can be liable for damages, attorney fees and costs, and also sometimes punitive damages. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 1 July 2026 But on Wednesday, the jury in the latest trial found that MGA had not acted with malice, meaning no punitive damages would be awarded. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026 This includes attorneys' costs and fees incurred to defend herself in the litigation, along with punitive damages and treble damages – a penalty that would triple the amount of any actual damages awarded. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 30 June 2026 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

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punitive

punitive damages

punitory

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Punitive damages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punitive%20damages. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

punitive damages

punitive damages

plural noun

Examples of punitive damages in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Legal Definition

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