tortious

American  

[tawr-shuhs] / ˈtɔr ʃəs /

adjective

Law.

1. of the nature of or pertaining to a tort.

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tortious British  

/ ˈtɔːʃəs /

adjective

1. law having the nature of or involving a tort; wrongful

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Other Word Forms

• tortiously adverb
• untortious adjective
• untortiously adverb

Etymology

Origin of tortious

1350–1400; Middle English torcious < Anglo-French, equivalent to torci ( on ) torsion + -ous -ous; meaning influenced by tort

Explanation

In civil law, a tort is an act that brings harm to someone — one that infringes on the rights of others. The adjective tortious therefore describes something related to a tort. Tortious interference occurs when you intentionally harm someone's business. If you claim that a restaurant uses rats in its stew, the owner can sue you for tortious interference. If, however, you can prove your suspicions are true, the restaurant will probably be closed by the health inspector. What's important is the intent of your actions — you've committed no tortious act if you tell the truth.

Example Sentences

If the accusations against her are false, she could also have a claim against her accusers for defamation and tortious interference.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

“In some severe cases, the plaintiff may have additional remedies through a civil lawsuit for claims like negligence or tortious interference with inheritance rights,” the law firm says.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

“It’s not tortious interference to be a competitor and to offer a potential client a particularly good deal should they decide to enlist your services,” Korobkin said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2026

Alvarado, who is seeking $1 million following her arrest, citing “the unconstitutional conduct, unlawful arrest, and the tortious conduct of Border Patrol and ICE agents,” said her daughter is healthy and growing.

From Salon • Oct. 22, 2025

The Work does not infringe the copyright, trademark, publicity rights, common law rights or any other right of any third party or constitute defamation, invasion of privacy or other tortious injury to any third party.

From Open Source Democracy by Rushkoff, Douglas