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 judge denied the defendants’ request to dismiss the negligence, emotional distress and punitive damages claims.
—
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2026
The estate is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, funeral expenses, attorney's fees, and other relief, arguing that multiple parties share responsibility for Avery's death under Georgia law because their actions combined to cause a single fatal outcome.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
The recent verdict in Cook County ordering Abbott Laboratories to pay $70 million in compensatory and punitive damages related to four cases of NEC has the potential to drastically change that risk-benefit analysis for preterm infants far beyond the Chicago area.
—Alexander Crider, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maurice Leiter allowed Svetnoy’s claims for punitive damages, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress to move forward.
—Andrew Blankstein, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
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Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2026
The estate is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, funeral expenses, attorney's fees, and other relief, arguing that multiple parties share responsibility for Avery's death under Georgia law because their actions combined to cause a single fatal outcome.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
The recent verdict in Cook County ordering Abbott Laboratories to pay $70 million in compensatory and punitive damages related to four cases of NEC has the potential to drastically change that risk-benefit analysis for preterm infants far beyond the Chicago area.
—Alexander Crider, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maurice Leiter allowed Svetnoy’s claims for punitive damages, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress to move forward.
—Andrew Blankstein, NBC news, 17 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2026.
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