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
In sharing the perspective of his office, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian fixated on disputing the brothers’ motive, despite several admonishments from the parole board against re-litigating the crime.
—Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Williams’ preliminary injunction, which will hold as the case continues to be litigated, was in response to a lawsuit that was filed by environmentalists and the Miccosukee Tribe over concerns that the detention camp presents risks to the ecosystem in the Everglades.
—Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
This case will continue to be litigated.
—Mike Schneider, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Most cases are settled without being litigated, but even the threat of an action can prove psychologically and financially draining for someone trying to move on from a prior work relationship.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litigate
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Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Williams’ preliminary injunction, which will hold as the case continues to be litigated, was in response to a lawsuit that was filed by environmentalists and the Miccosukee Tribe over concerns that the detention camp presents risks to the ecosystem in the Everglades.
—Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
This case will continue to be litigated.
—Mike Schneider, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Most cases are settled without being litigated, but even the threat of an action can prove psychologically and financially draining for someone trying to move on from a prior work relationship.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 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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