punitive damages

NOUN

compensation in excess of actual damage

Synonyms

WEAK

amercement compensatory damages damages financial penalty

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

It awarded $6 million in compensatory and punitive damages to a 20-year-old woman, known as K.G.M., who began using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at 9.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The lawsuit also seeks $7 million in punitive damages.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 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

A court subsequently awarded them nearly a million dollars in compensatory and punitive damages.

From Wild Justice by Sprague, Ruth M.