countersue

American

[koun-ter-soo] / ˈkaʊn tərˌsu /

verb (used with object)

countersued, countersuing

to bring a civil action against (one's complainant).

verb (used without object)

countersued, countersuing

to bring a civil action against one's complainant.

Etymology

Origin of countersue

counter- + sue

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She recently attended a court hearing in New York to determine whether he can countersue for defamation after she spoke about her experience last year.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

John Catanzara, president of the Chicago police officers’ union, said he would encourage the officers to countersue.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 24, 2024

Her lawyer later said she had plans to countersue.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2023

Afroman is unmoved — he intends to countersue and release a new album dissing the officers individually, he told The Washington Post in an interview.

From Washington Post • Mar. 24, 2023

But they didn’t countersue, and the court-appointed receiver is pursuing the judgment, with interest accruing every day.

From Washington Times • Feb. 1, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023