countersuit

noun

coun·​ter·​suit ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌsüt 

variants or less commonly counter-suit

plural countersuits also counter-suits

: an opposing lawsuit

especially : a claim asserted by an opposing party in a lawsuit (such as a defendant) against the party bringing the original lawsuit (such as a plaintiff) : counterclaim

decided to file a countersuit against her accuser

The current appeal results from a patent infringement suit and countersuit between Apple Inc. ("Apple") and Samsung Electronics Co …

—Apple, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 816 F. 3d 788 (2016)

Examples of countersuit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smollett denied the accusations and filed a countersuit against the city, but he was indicted by a grand jury on 16 felony charges. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 2 May 2025

In that case, Baldoni has also filed a countersuit alleging defamation and civil extortion. —Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025

OpenAI has filed a countersuit against Elon Musk, accusing him of unfair competition and interfering with the company's relationships with investors and customers. —Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025

The countersuit Williams filed a motion to dismiss and a counterclaim on Feb. 17 in response to Baumgarten’s complaint. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for countersuit

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute