punitive damages

American  

plural noun

Law.

1. damages awarded to a plaintiff in excess of compensatory damages in order to punish the defendant for a reckless or willful act.

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Etymology

Origin of punitive damages

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Although the parties agreed Monday to dismiss the broader lawsuit, Lively is still seeking attorneys’ fees, punitive damages and other financial penalties stemming from Baldoni’s failed $400-million defamation countersuit against her, which U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

He has demanded both compensatory damages to redress his own harms as well as punitive damages “to deter future unconstitutional conduct.”

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

When arguing for punitive damages against the tech companies, Lanier held up a jar of 415 M&Ms to show how a $1 billion fine would be a fraction of Alphabet’s $415 billion in shareholder equity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

In arguing his case for punitive damages, Kaley's attorney Mark Lanier - a folksy Texas litigator - had shown the jury a jar of M&Ms.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

There shall be no annexations, no contributions, no punitive damages....

From The Economic Consequences of the Peace by Keynes, John Maynard