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.
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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
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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 21 Oct. 2025.
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