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

The countersuit alleged that Pitt attempted to get physical with one of their kids after the child came to Jolie’s defense. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

Starbucks sued the union over copyright infringement, prompting a countersuit, USA TODAY reported. —Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024

Her ex quickly shut down her request with his own countersuit (filed in February) that argues a partition of the home should not be granted. —Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024

But the judge hearing Hill’s countersuit never would have had occasion to make his ruling had Bauer’s defamation suit not triggered the countersuit, which was settled without a trial. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024

Araiza filed a countersuit last year against the woman who had filed the civil lawsuit. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2024

Ultimately, of course, the suit and countersuit may never reach the jury-trial stage if settlements are reached. —Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024

Fuller's attorney, Bryan Freedman, told Deadline that the producer would be filing a countersuit. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023

Depp later filed an appeal to overturn the countersuit's decision. —Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above