cause of action
noun phrase
: the grounds (such as violation of a right) that entitle a plaintiff to bring a suit
Examples of cause of action in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That process takes time, legal standing and — perhaps most critically — a valid cause of action under your state's statute of limitations.
—
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The bill would go further than banning recreational use and actually create a civil cause of action for damages from chatbot use.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 10 Mar. 2026
Wilson’s emotional distress claim is the only cause of action that survived the judge’s gutting of the lawsuit.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2026
The plaintiffs claimed the state unconstitutionally spent taxpayer money to fund the account program, but also cited the Arkansas Declaratory Judgment Act as a separate cause of action, according to the opinion.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Dec. 2025
Instead of focusing on serious violations that harmed employees, PAGA was increasingly used as a cause of action to sue over minor, technical mistakes, like a typo on a pay stub.
—Roger Niello, Oc Register, 7 Oct. 2025
In order to establish a cause of action the corporation or its shareholders must rebut these presumptions and prove a breach of their duties involving fraud, intentional misconduct, an ultra vires act (i.e. outside scope of powers), or a knowing violation of law.
—Joshua D. Smeltzer, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
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Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The bill would go further than banning recreational use and actually create a civil cause of action for damages from chatbot use.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 10 Mar. 2026
Wilson’s emotional distress claim is the only cause of action that survived the judge’s gutting of the lawsuit.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2026
The plaintiffs claimed the state unconstitutionally spent taxpayer money to fund the account program, but also cited the Arkansas Declaratory Judgment Act as a separate cause of action, according to the opinion.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Dec. 2025
Instead of focusing on serious violations that harmed employees, PAGA was increasingly used as a cause of action to sue over minor, technical mistakes, like a typo on a pay stub.
—Roger Niello, Oc Register, 7 Oct. 2025
In order to establish a cause of action the corporation or its shareholders must rebut these presumptions and prove a breach of their duties involving fraud, intentional misconduct, an ultra vires act (i.e. outside scope of powers), or a knowing violation of law.
—Joshua D. Smeltzer, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cause of action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cause%20of%20action. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
cause of action
1
: the grounds (as violation of a right) that entitle a plaintiff to bring a suit
an amended pleading reiterating a cause of action for lost profits—J. H. Friedenthal et al.
J. H. Friedenthal et al.
also
: the part of a suit brought on those grounds
removed the cause of action to the district court
2
: right of action sense 1
the court, led by Justice Brennan, said Congress intended to provide a private cause of action—National Law Journal
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