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

Said is seeking compensatory and punitive damages along with her attorneys’ fees. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and names Arellano in his individual capacity as the sole defendant. — Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and other relief, including lifetime identity-theft protection and credit monitoring. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Plaintiffs are asking the court to declare Regulation 110(3) unconstitutional, block Nuñez and Duart from enforcing it against ICEBreakers members, and award compensatory and punitive damages against Rodriguez, Parra and Hamilton. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

punitive damages

see also:

damage sense 2