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
In August, the company was found partially liable for a fatal 2019 crash in Florida and was ordered to pay a total of about $240 million in compensatory costs and punitive damages.
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Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Violating Wisconsin’s one-party consent law can result in civil penalties, including actual or liquidated damages of at least $1,000, punitive damages and reimbursement for the victim’s attorney fees and litigation costs, according to state law.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Skaggs’ family is seeking $118 million for Skaggs’ lost earnings, compensation for pain and suffering, and punitive damages against the team.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Yousef Hazimeh is seeking actual, compensatory and punitive damages from Kansas City for all court fees, his job back at KC Water or front pay, according to a petition filed in Jackson County court.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
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Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Violating Wisconsin’s one-party consent law can result in civil penalties, including actual or liquidated damages of at least $1,000, punitive damages and reimbursement for the victim’s attorney fees and litigation costs, according to state law.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Skaggs’ family is seeking $118 million for Skaggs’ lost earnings, compensation for pain and suffering, and punitive damages against the team.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Yousef Hazimeh is seeking actual, compensatory and punitive damages from Kansas City for all court fees, his job back at KC Water or front pay, according to a petition filed in Jackson County court.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 22 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 30 Oct. 2025.
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