lawfare

American  

[law-fair] / ˈlɔˌfɛər /

noun

1. the use of legal action to pressure or intimidate.

2. the use of legal systems to exert power over other countries or groups.

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lawfare British  

/ ˈlɔːˌfɛə /

noun

1. the use of the law by a country against its enemies, esp by challenging the legality of military or foreign policy

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Etymology

Origin of lawfare

C21: from _law + _warfare

Example Sentences

“The fund is going to plaintiffs who were victims of lawfare or weaponization. … Those are pretty ambiguous terms. They’re sort of in the eye of the beholder,” Nixon said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

But on the campaign trail, its top prime ministerial nominee, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, hoped that this time there would be "no lawfare to destroy us".

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

UMG shared a statement with several outlets calling Drake's claims "illogical" and accusing the rapper of engaging in lawfare.

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2025

The legal report was written in part to counter such Chinese lawfare operations and deter a conflict with China by exposing and opposing unlawful military operations.

From Washington Times • Sep. 15, 2023

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the threat of legal action has become a "new kind of lawfare" for the "oligarchs and super-rich who can afford these sky-high costs".

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2022