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
Circuit splits, which can lead to confusion for businesses and consumers, can also contribute to unpredictable and inequitable results, with different case outcomes based on which federal circuit the case is litigated.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025
In his seven years at the firm, Carr litigated appeals of FCC orders and advised clients on how to gain FCC approval.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
My client is in the process of filing a motion to open and reverse the default judgment because the merits of the case have never been litigated.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
Sean Hecht, managing attorney for the California regional office of Earthjustice, a nonprofit focused on litigating environmental issues, believes the state’s youngest monuments are most at risk of being rolled back, citing political reasons.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
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Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025
In his seven years at the firm, Carr litigated appeals of FCC orders and advised clients on how to gain FCC approval.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
My client is in the process of filing a motion to open and reverse the default judgment because the merits of the case have never been litigated.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
Sean Hecht, managing attorney for the California regional office of Earthjustice, a nonprofit focused on litigating environmental issues, believes the state’s youngest monuments are most at risk of being rolled back, citing political reasons.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litigate
Cite this Entry
“Litigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/litigate. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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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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