tortious
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing tortious
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.
In the court’s very broad reading, merely placing an unwanted object on an item of personal property without causing any physical damage is tortious.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
The claim filed at the High Court is being brought under the Data Protection Act and for tortious misuse of private information.
From BBC ● Jun. 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
To adequately promote this metaphorical market, the First Amendment protects some tortious speech, such as speech that would traditionally be deemed libelous or intentionally injurious to emotional well-being.
From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2022
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 Douglas Rushkoff
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
