punitive damages

plural noun

Synonyms of punitive damagesnext
: 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.
Victims can seek compensatory damages for actual losses, but not punitive damages. — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026 On Thursday, attorneys from Jablonska's estate were trying to get access to Stevenson's financial records for the civil case, and were seeking to amend their wrongful death lawsuit to allege willful and wanton conduct and pursue punitive damages. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The jury in the civil case awarded Vaccaro $500,000 in compensatory damages, but she was not awarded punitive damages. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026 Jurors declined to award any damages for future pain and suffering and did not impose punitive damages. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

punitive
punitive damages
punitory
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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 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

punitive damages

see also:
damage sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on punitive damages

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for punitive damages

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