punitive damages

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of punitive damages¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

The plaintiffs are asking for about $120 million in future earnings as well as additional millions for pain and suffering and punitive damages.

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Aurinia and its U.S. subsidiary brought the suit against Tidmarsh, alleging defamation and injurious falsehood, and seeking damages for its losses, plus punitive damages.

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The lawsuit is filed in Manhattan and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

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“Because these are public entities, they’re not going to be liable for punitive damages.”

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Sanchez’s employer, Fox Corp., is named as a co-defendent in the suit, in which Tole seeks compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial.

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