Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are financial awards ordered by a court to a plaintiff in a civil case as punishment for a defendant's outrageous or malicious misconduct. Punitive damages are meant to deter and punish the defendant for their conduct, rather than to compensate the plaintiff for damages suffered. Punitive damages are often much higher than any other damages awarded. There are two types of punitive damages: compensatory punitive damages and exemplary punitive damages. Compensatory punitive damages refer to damages awarded to a plaintiff to punish a defendant in an action for damages and also to compensate the plaintiff for losses suffered. Exemplary punitive damages refer to damages awarded to a plaintiff to punish a defendant and serve as an example to others and to deter similar outrageous conduct.