counterclaim

American  

[koun-ter-kleym, koun-ter-kleym] / ˈkaʊn tərˌkleɪm, ˌkaʊn tərˈkleɪm /

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 British  

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• counterclaimant noun

Etymology

Origin of counterclaim

First recorded in 1775–85; counter- + claim

Explanation

When one person sues another in a court of law and the defendant responds by filing their own lawsuit against that person, that's a counterclaim. If your neighbor sues you because you're collecting junky cars in your shared driveway, you might file a counterclaim stating that they stole property when they hauled one of the old cars to the town dump. Another way to use this word is to mean "opposing argument." In a debate, when you state that school lunch should be free for everyone, your opponent may present a counterclaim that the income from selling food helps the school in the long run.

Example Sentences

Shell has filed a counterclaim against Cipriani, alleging defamation and extortion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

In its counterclaim, Archer denied that it had misappropriated trade secrets, induced the employee to breach their contract or interfered with Joby’s partnerships.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

In their court submission, the club's lawyers asserted that the counterclaim was prompted by Mbappe's "deceptive behaviour during negotiations to revise his contract".

From BBC • May 15, 2025

In November, the producers behind “Where Is Wendy Williams?” filed a counterclaim, hitting back at Morrissey and her “meritless” allegations related to the Lifetime documentary.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2024

Don't take on so," she said kindly, and then remembering her treasured property, and probably fearing a counterclaim on my part to its possession, "But how can you be sure she was here?

From Quest of the Golden Girl, a Romance by Le Gallienne, Richard

Related Words

• allowance
• benefit
• bonus
• coverage
• earnings
• fee
• indemnity
• pay
• payment
• payoff
• premium
• profit
• redress
• reimbursement
• remittance
• remuneration
• reparation
• restitution
• reward
• salary