punitive damages
Americanplural noun
Etymology
Origin of punitive damages
First recorded in 1970–75
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Financial firms are seeking to curb punitive damages and route complex cases to other arbitration forums, which would require SEC approval.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of general damages for emotional distress and punitive damages.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
On Tuesday, in arguing for punitive damages, Panish said Peter Grossman was the only witness to deny his wife’s conduct and refused to admit she was a killer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
The complaint seeks a permanent injunction, an award no less than for $15 million for actual damages and punitive damages.
From Barron's ● May 11, 2026
A court subsequently awarded them nearly a million dollars in compensatory and punitive damages.
From Wild Justice by Sprague, Ruth M.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
