compensatory damages

noun

: money awarded to a victim to make up for an injury, damage, etc.
The patient sued for compensatory damages.

Examples of compensatory damages in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Meta and Google are facing compensatory damages of $3 million in the case. Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026 The jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay a total of $3 million in compensatory damages plus additional punitive damages to a woman, now 20 years old, who said their platforms were engineered to addict her and caused her body dysmorphia, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026 The two companies must pay the plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman identified as KGM, $3 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages, with Meta held 70% responsible and YouTube 30%. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2026 The jury deliberated for nine days before reaching their decision, awarding KGM $3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $3 million in punitive damages to the plaintiff. Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compensatory damages

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Cite this Entry

“Compensatory damages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensatory%20damages. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.

Legal Definition

compensatory damages

noun
: actual damages at damage 2
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