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

Combs has also launched his own defamation countersuit in a separate case involving an accuser who linked him to the murder of Tupac Shakur. —Amanda Castro joshua Rhett Miller hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025

Baldoni has denied the claims, and filed a countersuit against Lively alleging defamation. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 July 2025

In January the Jane the Virgin alum denied Lively’s claims and filed a $400 million countersuit against her, Reynolds and their publicists alleging extortion, defamation and more. —Jack Smart, People.com, 26 June 2025

Baldoni’s countersuit, accusing her of smearing him, was dismissed last week. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 19 June 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