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
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
In May, a magistrate judge had recommended that the motion for damages should be granted, including $253,142 for emotional distress; $3,505 to pay for past treatment; and $340,200 to pay for future treatment; along with $1,193,694 in punitive damages, per court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Asserting claims for tortious interference, civil conspiracy, commercial disparagement and violations of Illinois consumer fraud laws, the Butlers sought more than $50 million in compensatory damages and over $200 million in punitive damages.
—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
22 June 2026
The judge rejected her claims to triple any damages and pursue punitive damages.
—
Janelle Ash , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punitive damages
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Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
In May, a magistrate judge had recommended that the motion for damages should be granted, including $253,142 for emotional distress; $3,505 to pay for past treatment; and $340,200 to pay for future treatment; along with $1,193,694 in punitive damages, per court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Asserting claims for tortious interference, civil conspiracy, commercial disparagement and violations of Illinois consumer fraud laws, the Butlers sought more than $50 million in compensatory damages and over $200 million in punitive damages.
—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
22 June 2026
The judge rejected her claims to triple any damages and pursue punitive damages.
—
Janelle Ash , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punitive damages
Cite this Entry
“Punitive damages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punitive%20damages. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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