sued; suing
1
a
: to seek justice or right from (a person) by legal process
specifically
: to bring an action against
b
: to proceed with and follow up (a legal action) to proper termination
2
archaic
: to pay court or suit to : woo
3
obsolete
: to make petition to or for
1
: to take legal proceedings in court
2
: to make a request or application : plead
—usually used with for or to
sue for peace
3
: to pay court : woo
he loved … but sued in vain—
William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth
suer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of sue in a Sentence
Some people sue over the most minor things.
People injured in accidents caused by the defective tire have threatened to sue.
They've threatened to sue the company.
He is suing the doctor who performed the unnecessary surgery.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Justice Department has sued Virginia for challenging voters’ eligibility too close to the election, for instance, and Georgia Republicans are appealing the ruling against the state election board’s new rules.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
The federal government sued Trump for allegedly discriminating against Black apartment seekers in the 1970s.
—Jill Colvin, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024
The media outlets sued for the recordings last month after the county initially denied their public records requests for them.
—Lewis Kamb, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024
In 2014, several conservative groups sued Harris, saying her office’s enforcement of the law was violating their First Amendment right to give money anonymously.
—Donovan A. Watts, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sue 
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illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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Alison Durkee, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
The federal government sued Trump for allegedly discriminating against Black apartment seekers in the 1970s.
—Jill Colvin, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024
The media outlets sued for the recordings last month after the county initially denied their public records requests for them.
—Lewis Kamb, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024
In 2014, several conservative groups sued Harris, saying her office’s enforcement of the law was violating their First Amendment right to give money anonymously.
—Donovan A. Watts, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sue
Dictionary Entries Near sue
Cite this Entry
“Sue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sue. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
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