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

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The suit, served on Sharp last week, seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages and reimbursement for attorney’s fees. Paul Sisson, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025 The suit, served on Sharp last week, seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages and reimbursement for attorney’s fees. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025 Hogan subsequently sued Gawker and was awarded millions in compensatory damages in an historic invasion of privacy case. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 All compensatory damages flowing from physical injury or physical sickness are excludable from income, even in employment cases. Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 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 17 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

compensatory damages

noun
: actual damages at damage 2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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