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

The patient is seeking $50 million in compensatory damages and $100 million in punitive damages. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026

Depp was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, while Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages and no punitive damages. — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

According to his attorneys, Newman seeks a jury trial, back pay, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney's fees. — Tori Mason, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

In addition, the jury found the two deputies acted with reckless disregard and awarded $10 million in punitive damages. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

punitive damages

see also:

damage sense 2