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.

Unified suit appears to target the entire $22 million as restitution plus potential punitive damages.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 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

In a second phase, jurors added a further $3 million in total punitive damages after finding both companies had acted with malice, oppression or fraud.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Normally, punitive damages are awarded only when the conduct in question is malicious, unusually reckless, or otherwise reprehensible.

From What Works: Schools Without Drugs by Education, United States Department of