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 parents are seeking compensation for therapy and medical bills because of the emotional distress caused, along with punitive damages and attorneys' fees.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
The judgment filed July 3 included: $1.3 million for medical expenses; $250,000 for pain and suffering; $16,000 for funeral costs; and $500,000 for punitive damages.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 9 July 2024
Hoskins and Oliver are seeking more than $100 million to cover costs including emotional damages, punitive damages and their daughter’s lost earning potential.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2024
English’s lawsuit requests a jury trial and seeks an undisclosed amount of punitive damages.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for punitive damages 
David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
The judgment filed July 3 included: $1.3 million for medical expenses; $250,000 for pain and suffering; $16,000 for funeral costs; and $500,000 for punitive damages.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 9 July 2024
Hoskins and Oliver are seeking more than $100 million to cover costs including emotional damages, punitive damages and their daughter’s lost earning potential.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2024
English’s lawsuit requests a jury trial and seeks an undisclosed amount of punitive damages.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for punitive damages
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punitive damages.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Punitive damages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punitive%20damages. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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