Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

punitive damages

See more synonyms for punitive damages on Thesaurus.com
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.
Show More
Compare compensatory damages.

Origin of punitive damages

First recorded in 1970–75
Also called exemplary damages.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018