litigate

[ lit-i-geyt ]

verb (used with object)

, lit·i·gat·ed, lit·i·gat·ing.

1. to make the subject of a lawsuit; contest at law.
2. Archaic. to dispute (a point, assertion, etc.).

verb (used without object)

, lit·i·gat·ed, lit·i·gat·ing.

1. to carry on a lawsuit.

litigate

/ ˈlɪtɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to bring or contest (a claim, action, etc) in a lawsuit
2. intr to engage in legal proceedings

Derived Forms

• ˈlitiˌgator, noun

Other Words From

• liti·gative adjective
• re·liti·gate verb (used with object) relitigated relitigating
• un·liti·gated adjective
• un·liti·gating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of litigate¹

First recorded in 1605–15, litigate is from the Latin word lītigātus (past participle of lītigāre to go to law). See litigant, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of litigate¹

C17: from Latin lītigāre, from līt-, stem of līs lawsuit + agere to carry on

Example Sentences

Without any existing precedent, he would be well within his rights to litigate that before the Supreme Court.

From Salon

"We vehemently deny WP Engine’s allegations - which are gross mischaracterizations of reality," it said in a statement, adding that it would "vigorously litigate against this absurd filing".

From BBC

“One of the most common forms of financial abuse is using the threat of impoverishment to keep a woman in a relationship. So a man will use the courts to litigate a divorce to death. Or he'll seek 50/50 custody so he can pay less child support, even though he's never been a 50/50 parent,” Villines said.

From Salon

“If the election comes down to a few thousand votes or less in a state that is crucial for an electoral college victory, then we’ll expect both sides to litigate as hard as they can.”

From Los Angeles Times

Gore; if the election comes down to a few thousand votes or less in a state that is crucial for an Electoral College victory, then we’ll expect both sides to litigate as hard as they can to try to secure a favorable outcome.

From Slate

Related Words

• prosecute