sue
verb (used with object)
to institute a process in law against; bring a civil action against.
sue
1 American
[soo]
/ su /
verb (used with object)
-
sues,
present (3rd person singular)
-
sued,
past participle, past
-
suing
present participle
-
to institute a process in law against; bring a civil action against.
to sue someone for damages.
-
to woo or court.
-
Obsolete. to make petition or appeal to.
verb (used without object)
-
sues,
present (3rd person singular)
-
sued,
past participle, past
-
suing
present participle
verb phrase
sue
1
British
/ suː, sjuː /
verb
-
to institute legal proceedings (against)
-
to make suppliant requests of (someone for something)
-
archaic to pay court (to)
Sue
2
British
/ sy /
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
suesimple
-
suessimple
-
have suedperfect
-
has suedperfect
-
am suingprogressive
-
are suingprogressive
-
is suingprogressive
-
have been suingperfect progressive
-
has been suingperfect progressive
Past
-
suedsimple
-
had suedperfect
-
was suingprogressive
-
were suingprogressive
-
had been suingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of sue
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English suen, siwen, from Old French sivre, from unattested Vulgar Latin sequere “to follow,” for Latin sequī
Explanation
If you sue someone, you're accusing them (in court) of doing something wrong or illegal and demanding that they pay for it. Almost every time someone sues, they're looking for money. One of the last things you want to hear is "I'll sue you!" People sue for a lot of reasons. If you slipped on the ice, you could sue the sidewalk owner for not putting salt down. If you were in a car accident, you could sue the other driver. Years ago, someone sued McDonald's for scalding themselves on a cup of coffee they said was too hot. Sometimes it seems like people will find any reason to sue.
Vocabulary lists containing 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.
See Examples For:
They can go into federal court and sue and vindicate their rights that way immediately.
From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026
Several of the officers whom Flores taped said he often talked about wanting to win the “LAPD lottery,” meaning he intended to sue the department and retire on his winnings, according to the motion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
The utility created a program to pay for victims’ damages if they agree to give up their right to sue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
The claims, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, span 17 states and Washington, D.C., and represent the first legal step required before individuals can sue the federal government.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026
“We should sue whoever was driving that construction truck,” I said, putting my seat belt on.
From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio
On Saturday in Carmel, Ind., emergency officials relocated about 40 residents from their homes amid flooding and helped move residents and staff from a senior living facility, Mayor Sue Finkam said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
When Sue Nyathi sent her debut novel The Polygamist to publishers, "they thought there was no market for the book" about a married Zimbabwean man and the women he seduces, she says.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
“So I’d give everybody a yellow legal pad and Sue would start telling stories,” Camerieri continues.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
Sue Davison says the rise of toxic masculinity among influencers has a serious impact on "disenfranchised boys"
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
“The beautiful green forest was gone and gray. We were in hell,” said Sue.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
Crowley’s new lawsuit Tuesday sues Bass personally for defamation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
That typically happens in advance of a criminal prosecution, when a taxpayer sues for a refund, when a U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
Florida man sues Outback Steakhouse after toilet collapse.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 29, 2025
It is alarmingly plausible that the court might close the courthouse doors to any private party that sues the government over law-breaking impoundments.
From Slate ● Sep. 26, 2025
If Ziggy isn’t found, what if Mae sues us?
From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks
At least one resident has sued the company in connection with the incident, citing costs for air purifiers and utilities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Selena Gomez is being sued by five investors in her mental health company, Wondermind Global.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
The plaintiff here sued for money, but settled for an apology and something he never formally requested: immunity.
From Slate ● Aug. 13, 2026
Just last week, New Jersey sued Amazon alleging its contracting system illegally suppressed delivery workers’ wages.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
A bull hit my dad and he sued the farmer and my dad wasn’t even dead.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
The states suing Meta are asking for many more changes to the way Instagram and Facebook operate for young people, too.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
A former ABC News journalist is suing former colleague CBS News Chief Correspondent Matt Gutman over inappropriate remarks he allegedly made when they worked together several years ago.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Eli Lilly is suing six pharmacies alleging that they are selling illegal versions of retatrutide, its still-experimental but highly anticipated weight-loss shot.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026
That’s not clear yet, but presumably it wouldn’t be any of the dozen states suing the company, which include Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Washington.
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026
To people who don't run around suing one another, such signs suggest a crippling lack of intelligence.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
