punitive damages

American

plural noun

Law.

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

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.

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

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

She remained stoic as the verdict, the $3-million damages award and the finding for punitive damages were read out.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

The jury also determined that additional punitive damages, which are meant to punish the companies, were warranted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

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

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023