plural laches
: negligence in the observance of duty or opportunity
specifically
: undue delay in asserting a legal right or privilege
Examples of laches in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The majority did indeed invoke laches, but only as to three of the four categories.
—
Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 17 Dec. 2020
Nevertheless, the Pennsylvania supreme court rejected the Republican lawsuit based on the doctrine of laches.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 8 Dec. 2020
Therefore, quite apart from laches, five of the seven justices ruled against the campaign on the merits.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 17 Dec. 2020
The court’s ruling on the issue of laches was unanimous.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 30 Nov. 2020
Any dispute as to whether any statute of limitations, estoppel, waiver, laches, or other doctrine bars the arbitration of any Claim shall be decided by arbitration in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
—Star Tribune, 29 Oct. 2020
Ceglia’s attempt to get half of Facebook — a company now estimated to be worth somewhere between $55 and $85 billion — also faces the difficult problem of the doctrine of laches.
—Ryan Singel, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2011
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Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 17 Dec. 2020
Nevertheless, the Pennsylvania supreme court rejected the Republican lawsuit based on the doctrine of laches.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 8 Dec. 2020
Therefore, quite apart from laches, five of the seven justices ruled against the campaign on the merits.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 17 Dec. 2020
The court’s ruling on the issue of laches was unanimous.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 30 Nov. 2020
Any dispute as to whether any statute of limitations, estoppel, waiver, laches, or other doctrine bars the arbitration of any Claim shall be decided by arbitration in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
—Star Tribune, 29 Oct. 2020
Ceglia’s attempt to get half of Facebook — a company now estimated to be worth somewhere between $55 and $85 billion — also faces the difficult problem of the doctrine of laches.
—Ryan Singel, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Laches.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laches. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
laches
noun
la·ches
ˈla-chəz, ˈlā-, -shəz 
plural laches
1
: undue delay in asserting a right or privilege compare statute of limitations
2
a
: a doctrine permitting dismissal of a suit because a plaintiff's unreasonable delay in asserting a right or privilege has been detrimental to the defendant's ability to make a defense (as by resulting in the unavailability of witnesses or evidence)
a suit barred by laches
b
: an affirmative defense based on this doctrine
Etymology
Anglo-French lachesce, laschesce negligence, from Old French lasche lax, ultimately from Latin laxare to loosen, from laxus slack
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