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

See Examples For:

punitive damages

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

Jurors are now weighing whether to award additional punitive damages against Grossman and Erickson.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 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

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

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

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