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.

Brian Panish, the Iskander family’s attorney, told jurors in Van Nuys that they needed to award punitive damages to not only punish Grossman and Erickson, but also send a message about their conduct.

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

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

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

From Wild Justice by Sprague, Ruth M.