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
There is no reason to plow ahead with litigating these allegations in this court when they may be decided in the arbitration.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 July 2025
The parties are then free to litigate with attorneys, and even have a trial, over who gets what from the sales proceeds.
—Christopher A. Combs, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025
Current Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rolled back the year-and-a half-long extension, a decision that is being litigated in federal courts.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025
Had the ruling lacked nationwide impact, the NCAA might have weighed the benefits and drawbacks of trying to litigate the topic in other federal districts.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for litigate
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Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 July 2025
The parties are then free to litigate with attorneys, and even have a trial, over who gets what from the sales proceeds.
—Christopher A. Combs, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025
Current Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rolled back the year-and-a half-long extension, a decision that is being litigated in federal courts.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025
Had the ruling lacked nationwide impact, the NCAA might have weighed the benefits and drawbacks of trying to litigate the topic in other federal districts.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 June 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 23 Jul. 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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