How to Use punitive damages in a Sentence

punitive damages

plural noun
  • The suit also retains the right to ask for punitive damages.
    — Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Dominguez seeks damages and punitive damages in his lawsuit.
    — Max Londberg, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The suit asks for punitive damages but does not list a specific dollar amount.
    — oregonlive, 16 June 2021
  • Her attorneys will also seek at least three times that in punitive damages.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The state is seeking civil penalties and punitive damages in the suit.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2021
  • The complaint brought a claim for breach of contract, among others, and sought punitive damages.
    — Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2024
  • Under the deal, the families agree not to seek punitive damages.
    — David Meyer, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2021
  • The bill called for punitive damages that amount to up to five times the actual loss caused by the false news report.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 1 Oct. 2021
  • Scheller suggested the jury could award even more in punitive damages.
    — Bruce Vielmetti, Journal Sentinel, 17 June 2022
  • The workers are seeking damages for their injuries and loss, as well as punitive damages.
    — Danny Hermosillo, Houston Chronicle, 31 July 2019
  • The Austin jury must still decide how much Jones must pay in punitive damages.
    — Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2022
  • Clancy is seeking a jury trial and punitive damages in the case.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
  • And the jury did not find that punitive damages should be assessed against Beveridge.
    — Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024
  • The judge rejected her claims to triple any damages and pursue punitive damages.
    — Janelle Ash , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • But its award far exceeded the purpose and function of punitive damages.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • The firm was ordered to pay $495 million in punitive damages.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2024
  • The lawsuit also seeks, among other damages, punitive damages and costs of suit.
    — Julietta Bisharyan, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The judge allowed the other two women to pursue their claims at trial, and to seek punitive damages.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
  • The lawsuit seeks punitive damages against the city and monetary damages and relief for the teen.
    — Lisa Rathke, Fortune, 2 Feb. 2024
  • But Rhodes will not have to pay punitive damages to the family or attorney’s fees.
    — From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2022
  • The suit seeks a jury trial and general and punitive damages for Romero.
    — Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 21 Oct. 2021
  • If the jury decides Jones should pay punitive damages, the judge would determine the amount.
    — Dave Collins, Hartford Courant, 7 Oct. 2022
  • The suit seeks $20 million in damages, as well as punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2022
  • The lawsuit also seeks $7 million in punitive damages.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The jury voted 10-2 to award punitive damages against Spitzer.
    — Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
  • The suits seek compensatory and punitive damages.
    — ABC News, 11 June 2026
  • Fox is seeking back pay, as well as any compensatory and punitive damages to be decided by a jury.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and asks for the case to be decided by a jury.
    — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The suit says the plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
    — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 12 May 2026
  • A week prior to Musk’s filing, the judge denied Musk’s request for punitive damages.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punitive damages.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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