sue

¹

[ soo ]

verb (used with object)

, sued, su·ing.

1. to institute a process in law against; bring a civil action against:

   to sue someone for damages.

2. to woo or court.
3. Obsolete. to make petition or appeal to.

verb (used without object)

, sued, su·ing.

1. to institute legal proceedings, or bring suit:

   She threatened to sue.

2. to make petition or appeal:

   to sue for peace.

   Synonyms: pray, plead, petition, beg

3. to court a woman.

verb phrase

1. to make application for or apply for and obtain (a writ or the like) from a court of law.

Sue

²

[ soo; French sy ]

noun

1. Eu·gène [œ, -, zhen], Marie Joseph Sue, 1804–57, French novelist.
2. a female given name, form of Susan, Susanna, Susannah.

sue

¹

/ sjuː; suː /

verb

1. to institute legal proceedings (against)
2. to make suppliant requests of (someone for something)
3. archaic.
   to pay court (to)

Sue

²

/ sy /

noun

1. SueEugène18041857MFrenchWRITING: novelist Eugène (øʒɛn). original name Marie-Joseph Sue. 1804–57, French novelist, whose works, notably Les mystères de Paris (1842–43) and Le juif errant (1844–45), were among the first to reflect the impact of the industrial revolution on France

Derived Forms

• ˈsuer, noun

Other Words From

• su·er noun
• un·sued adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sue¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English suen, siwen, from Old French sivre, from unattested Vulgar Latin sequere “to follow,” for Latin sequī

Word History and Origins

Origin of sue¹

C13: via Anglo-Norman from Old French sivre, from Latin sequī to follow

Example Sentences

She sued the HFPA in 2020, claiming that it embodied a “culture of corruption.”

From Vox

Each was immediately sued by CGA, and the Los Angeles measure will also likely be challenged in court.

From Eater

None of the recommendations included suing the bureau to release data earlier than it had planned.

From Washington Post

He was one of Harvey Weinstein’s fiercest opponents and sued Weinstein’s company to get restitution for survivors.

From Time

Tech companies are, of course, suing to block the law from taking effect saying it violates the Internet Tax Freedom Act.

From Search Engine Land

The NRA wants the ability to sue local officials for passing laws that protect public safety.

From The Daily Beast

The families of suicide victims often sue and can win large settlements.

From The Daily Beast

Enter Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which threatened to sue.

From The Daily Beast

Which was issued as the B-Side to Peggy Sue Got Married in 1959.

From The Daily Beast

“Sue (Or In a Season of Crime)” brings the rock chameleon into jazz territory, backed up by a horn-heavy jazz big band.

From The Daily Beast

He gave his mother several groups in stone for the dining-room; they are all funny, Sue says.

From Project Gutenberg

In many states statutes exist defining their right to sue and be sued, and their liability to creditors.

From Project Gutenberg

Sue Greyson is to accompany my mother; I shall be much away, and I do not like to leave her with strangers.

From Project Gutenberg

He can do another thing, accept the stock and sue for the damage he has sustained by the deceit that has been practiced on him.

From Project Gutenberg

I know that you will say I regret exceedingly, Miss Sue, that you have misinterpreted my friendly attentions.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accuse
• appeal
• charge
• claim
• file
• indict
• petition
• plead
• prosecute