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

That it took 12 years to litigate without one does no credit to the legal system.

From The Daily Beast

Did you get the impression that Cosby would litigate anything he found in your book to be controversial?

From The Daily Beast

Innocence is not a basis for appealing and we could not re-litigate innocence on appeal.

From The Daily Beast

Our super-rich can litigate and settle their way out of charges we peons could never escape.

From The Daily Beast

Rather than embrace the future, the two sides endlessly litigate the past.

From The Daily Beast

He would not approve of her accepting the hand of a man who would be resolved to litigate this matter with him.

From Project Gutenberg

They cannot come into court to litigate their claims, nor can a court decide on them.

From Project Gutenberg

They are now protected by the treaty, but we will litigate them out of all their grants.

From Project Gutenberg

But so long as it's nobody but Goshorn, I'm goin' to stay and litigate the question till the Millerite millennium comes.

From Project Gutenberg

Many litigate in court, not that they may gain anything, but that they may harass others.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• prosecute