Definition

Noun: - Punitive damages: A legal term for a monetary award, ordered by a court, that is intended not only to compensate the plaintiff for a loss but, more importantly, to punish the defendant for particularly egregious, malicious, or willful misconduct and to deter similar future conduct. This compensation is in addition to any actual (compensatory) damages awarded.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The jury awarded the plaintiff $1 million in exemplary damages due to the company's fraudulent and reckless behavior.
  • Exemplary damages are not typically available for simple negligence; they require proof of malice or a conscious disregard for the rights of others.

Advanced Usage

• "to award exemplary damages": The formal legal act of granting this type of punishment.
  • The judge allowed the jury to consider awarding exemplary damages.
• "an award of exemplary damages": The specific sum granted as punishment.
  • The $5 million award of exemplary damages sent a strong message to the industry.

Variants and Related Words

• Punitive damages (n): The most common synonym for "exemplary damages."
• Compensatory damages (n): Damages intended solely to compensate for actual loss, in contrast to exemplary/punitive damages.
• Vindictive damages (n): An older, less common term with a similar meaning to exemplary damages.

Synonyms

• Punitive damages: Damages meant to punish.
• Smart money: (Informal/Slang) A term sometimes used in legal contexts to refer to punitive damages.

Related Phrases

• "Gross negligence": A level of negligence so severe it can sometimes justify a claim for exemplary damages.
• "Willful and wanton misconduct": A common legal standard of behavior that can lead to an award of exemplary damages.

Related Idioms

• "To make an example of": This idiom captures the deterrent purpose behind exemplary damages.
  • The court imposed heavy exemplary damages to make an example of the corporation and deter others.

Noun

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