punitive damages

noun Law.

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

Also called exemplary damages.

Origin:
1970–75

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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WordNet

punitive damages
noun
(law) compensation in excess of actual damages (a form of punishment awarded in cases of malicious or willful misconduct)

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Relevant Questions

00:10

Punitive damages is always a great word to know.

So is slumgullion. Does it mean:

a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.

a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

Example sentences

Punitive damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages for actual

monetary losses.

In addition to compensatory damages the courts began to award punitive damages.

Defendants seek to dismiss the punitive damages claim.

It seeks unspecified damages for lost wages as well as compensatory and

punitive damages.

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