litigate
verb
lit·i·gate
ˈli-tə-ˌgāt 
litigated; litigating
: to carry on a legal contest by judicial (see judicial sense 1a) process
only states can litigate before this court—
R. H. Heindel
R. H. HeindelExamples of litigate in a Sentence
They agree to litigate all disputes in this court.
The company's unwillingness to make a deal increased her desire to litigate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Another defense is that the claims have already been litigated and are thus barred by res judicata and collateral estoppel.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2024
This language sends a positive signal to anyone litigating an FBAR penalty case outside of the First Circuit.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
The issue will continue to be litigated in the lower courts, although the Justice Department’s stance could change if former President Donald Trump wins the November election.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 7 Oct. 2024
Grace Ocean and Synergy filed a court petition soon in the days after the collapse seeking to limit their legal liability—a routine procedure for cases litigated under U.S. maritime law.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for litigate 
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2024
This language sends a positive signal to anyone litigating an FBAR penalty case outside of the First Circuit.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
The issue will continue to be litigated in the lower courts, although the Justice Department’s stance could change if former President Donald Trump wins the November election.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 7 Oct. 2024
Grace Ocean and Synergy filed a court petition soon in the days after the collapse seeking to limit their legal liability—a routine procedure for cases litigated under U.S. maritime law.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for litigate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'litigate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near litigate
Cite this Entry
“Litigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/litigate. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
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Legal Definition
litigate
verb
lit·i·gate
ˈli-tə-ˌgāt
litigated; litigating
: to seek resolution of a legal contest by judicial process
chose to litigate rather than settle
: to make the subject of a suit
litigate a claim
broadly
: to contest or resolve in court
litigate an insanity defense
litigational
adjective
-shə-nəl
litigatory
adjective
ˈli-tə-gə-ˌtōr-ē
Etymology
Latin litigatus, past participle of litigare, from lit-, lis lawsuit + agere to drive
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