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 following year, the jury agreed on a $964 million verdict and the judge later tacked on another $473 million in punitive damages against Jones and Free Speech Systems, Infowars’ parent company, which is based in Austin, Texas.
—
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
In 2022, a Connecticut jury awarded the families $965 million in compensatory damages and a judge slapped on $473 million in punitive damages.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Later, a judge added an additional $473 million in punitive damages.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
Drake sought nominal, compensatory, and punitive damages, plus legal fees.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punitive damages
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
In 2022, a Connecticut jury awarded the families $965 million in compensatory damages and a judge slapped on $473 million in punitive damages.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Later, a judge added an additional $473 million in punitive damages.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
Drake sought nominal, compensatory, and punitive damages, plus legal fees.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
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 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share