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
Also in the bill is a provision allowing attorneys general at the state level to sue the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or the secretary of Homeland Security, for failing to enforce the first part of the bill.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
State attorneys general could sue to have immigrants detained
The bill gives state attorneys general the power to sue the federal government over its handling of undocumented people in its custody.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025
Seidler’s widow, Sheel Seidler, on Monday sued two of her brothers-in-law, accusing Matt and Bob Seidler of breaches of fiduciary duty and fraud and broadcasting her desire to gain control of the team.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Last summer, Gordon sued the USFWS after the agency missed a deadline to respond to Wyoming’s original 2021 petition to delist grizzlies.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sue 
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Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
State attorneys general could sue to have immigrants detained
The bill gives state attorneys general the power to sue the federal government over its handling of undocumented people in its custody.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025
Seidler’s widow, Sheel Seidler, on Monday sued two of her brothers-in-law, accusing Matt and Bob Seidler of breaches of fiduciary duty and fraud and broadcasting her desire to gain control of the team.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Last summer, Gordon sued the USFWS after the agency missed a deadline to respond to Wyoming’s original 2021 petition to delist grizzlies.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Jan. 2025
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 15 Jan. 2025.
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