counterclaim

[ noun koun-ter-kleym; verb koun-ter-kleym ]

noun

1. a claim made to offset another claim, especially one made by the defendant in a legal action.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to claim so as to offset a previous claim.

counterclaim

/ ˈkaʊntəˌkleɪm /

noun

1. a claim set up in opposition to another, esp by the defendant in a civil action against the plaintiff

verb

1. to set up (a claim) in opposition to another claim

Derived Forms

• ˌcounterˈclaimant, noun

Other Words From

• counter·claimant noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterclaim¹

First recorded in 1775–85; counter- + claim

Example Sentences

An admission of guilt from the defendant didn't count as evidence, and if the defendant had a valid counterclaim, the divorce would be denied.

From Salon

There are claims and counterclaims, accusations of jealousy, insobriety, fake social media accounts.

From BBC

“It’s taking longer than anyone hoped for but there is a process we have to go through. I’ve always repeated, let’s be judged by the facts and not by claims and counterclaims.”

From BBC

Disney filed counterclaims that included asking the state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable.

From Seattle Times

A legal representative for West told The Times in a statement that the rapper intends to filed a counterclaim against Pisciotta over her “baseless allegations.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acknowledge
• argue
• claim
• defend
• deny
• explain
• plead
• resolve
• respond
• return
• say
• solve