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
Any such claim of authority would no doubt be litigated.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 May 2025
Other portions of the executive order are still being litigated, including a provision that withholds federal funds from states that count mail and absentee ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but are received by election officials afterwards.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
This case was filed during President Trump’s first term and litigated across three administrations.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
The matter has been discussed, disputed, and litigated multiple times.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litigate
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Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 May 2025
Other portions of the executive order are still being litigated, including a provision that withholds federal funds from states that count mail and absentee ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but are received by election officials afterwards.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
This case was filed during President Trump’s first term and litigated across three administrations.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
The matter has been discussed, disputed, and litigated multiple times.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 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 21 May. 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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