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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
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Fishback told that under his employment agreement, he is required to pay legal fees and that the company has never asked him for compensatory or punitive damages. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025 The lawsuit seeks punitive damages in California since the Dennis' 2018 Model 3 was designed and manufactured there. CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025 The lawsuit seeks punitive damages in California since the Dennis’ 2018 Model 3 was designed and manufactured there. Mark Thiessen, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025 Gruendel is seeking economic, compensatory and punitive damages and demanding a jury trial. Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025 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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Cite this Entry

“Punitive damages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punitive%20damages. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Legal Definition

punitive damages

see damage sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on punitive damages

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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