Advertisement
Advertisement
litigate
[ lit-i-geyt ]
verb (used with object)
- to make the subject of a lawsuit; contest at law.
- Archaic. to dispute (a point, assertion, etc.).
verb (used without object)
- to carry on a lawsuit.
litigate
/ ˈlɪtɪˌɡeɪt /
verb
- to bring or contest (a claim, action, etc) in a lawsuit
- intr to engage in legal proceedings
Derived Forms
- ˈlitiˌgator, noun
Other Words From
- liti·gative adjective
- re·liti·gate verb (used with object) relitigated relitigating
- un·liti·gated adjective
- un·liti·gating adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of litigate1
Example Sentences
The complaint is the NLRB’s first step in litigating the case after investigating an unfair labor practice claim submitted by employees and finding merit to the allegations.
Without any existing precedent, he would be well within his rights to litigate that before the Supreme Court.
Issuing the complaint represents the NLRB’s first step in litigating the case after investigating an unfair labor practice claim submitted by employees and finding merit to the allegations.
"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".
“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.”
Advertisement
Related Words
More About Litigate
What does litigate mean?
To litigate is to engage in a legal proceeding, such as a lawsuit. It can mean to bring a lawsuit or to contest one.
The word especially refers to what lawyers do in such a proceeding. In fact, another name for a lawyer is litigator, especially a lawyer who specializes in civil cases. The related word litigant refers to a person engaged in a lawsuit.
The process of engaging in a legal proceeding is called litigation. To be in litigation typically means to be engaged in a civil legal proceeding (as opposed to a criminal one, in which one is said to be on trial).
Litigate can also be used in a somewhat figurative or general way meaning to intensely dispute or argue something, as if one were a lawyer in a courtroom setting, as in It’s just a minor issue—we don’t have to litigate it over and over again.
Example: They want to avoid having to litigate, so they’re going to try to get you to settle out of court.
Where does litigate come from?
The first records of the word litigate come from the early 1600s. It derives from the Latin verb lītigāre, meaning “to go to law,” from līt- (a stem of līs, meaning “lawsuit”) and agere, “to carry on.”
Litigators litigate, and litigating often takes the form of carrying on a lawsuit. Litigation is often expensive and time-consuming (which might be good for the litigators but not so much for their clients). For this reason, people often try to avoid litigation when they’re on the wrong end of a lawsuit. Some choose to go through arbitration, which is a process in which a third party helps to settle the dispute.
Those who do engage in litigation and present their cases in court can still agree to settle before a decision is reached by the court—meaning they agree to stop litigating and come to a deal on their own (though often still with the help of the litigators).
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to litigate?
- litigation (noun)
- litigator (noun)
- litigant (noun)
- litigable (adjective)
What are some words that share a root or word element with litigate?
What are some words that often get used in discussing litigate?
How is litigate used in real life?
The word litigate is most often used in the context of a lawsuit, but its general use is not uncommon.
PG&E to be forced to litigate in Ghost Ship civil case https://t.co/cU2MKgrDXl pic.twitter.com/kDfPaYrhDA
— East Bay Times (@EastBayTimes) December 17, 2019
Any lawyers out there who are hunters or receptive to hunting and can litigate on conservation issues? Specifically, can file briefs—amicus or otherwise. Are familiar with EAJA and other laws.
One of my clients is searching for adept lawyers. Suggestions appreciated!
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) October 21, 2019
Grasso says the job of the attorney general is to "advocate, legislate and litigate," by looking at the state's issues and proposing solutions.
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) January 16, 2018
Try using litigate!
True or False?
Litigate usually refers to engaging in a criminal trial.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse