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
According to the lawsuit, the employee wants compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees and front pay, among other requests.
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Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
The suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, also stating that the state penal code allows damages of $5,000 per violation.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Joseph is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and payment of attorney fees in an amount to be determined at trial.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Jones is seeking punitive damages against the mayor as well as compensatory damages, statutory damages under the Family Leave and Medical Act and the Illinois Whistleblower Act, and attorney’s fees and costs.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
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Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
The suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, also stating that the state penal code allows damages of $5,000 per violation.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Joseph is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and payment of attorney fees in an amount to be determined at trial.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Jones is seeking punitive damages against the mayor as well as compensatory damages, statutory damages under the Family Leave and Medical Act and the Illinois Whistleblower Act, and attorney’s fees and costs.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 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 12 Jan. 2026.
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