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
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During closing arguments Friday, Scofield’s attorneys asked for an award of $1 million in compensatory damages and left the total for punitive damages for the jury to decide.
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Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
According to court records, Donna Diamond also requests a trial by jury and for punitive damages to be awarded.
—Lillian Metzmeier, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Dominguez seeks damages and punitive damages in his lawsuit.
—Max Londberg, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
According to court records, Donna Diamond also requests a trial by jury and for punitive damages to be awarded.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for punitive damages
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Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
According to court records, Donna Diamond also requests a trial by jury and for punitive damages to be awarded.
—Lillian Metzmeier, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Dominguez seeks damages and punitive damages in his lawsuit.
—Max Londberg, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
According to court records, Donna Diamond also requests a trial by jury and for punitive damages to be awarded.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Feb. 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 7 Mar. 2026.
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