litigious

adjective li·ti·gious \ lə-ˈti-jəs , li- \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

1 a : disputatious, contentious

in a litigious mood

b : prone to engage in lawsuits

an increasingly litigious society

2 : subject to litigation

not known to be litigious when purchased
—James Muirhead

3 : of, relating to, or marked by litigation

a litigious situation

—

litigiously

adverb

—

litigiousness

noun

See litigious defined for English-language learners

Examples of litigious in a Sentence

a very litigious group of people
this litigious age in which we live

Recent Examples of litigious from the Web

But despite having hundreds of lawyers on the ground in America, one prize has proved elusive: laying down deep roots in the world’s most litigious market.

— The Economist, "British law firms seek similar across the pond," 12 Apr. 2018
However, such a coalition could be difficult to bring to life with litigious parties in a fractured parliament.

— giovanni legorano, WSJ, "Latest Italy Coalition Bid Stumbles," 30 Apr. 2018
Don't let the litigious phrasing fool you; Busch was going to be fired, and there is not much to investigate.

— mac engel, star-telegram, "TCU swimming and diving situation was a fiasco from Day 1 | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 7 Apr. 2018
In his past life as a litigious businessman-cum-showman, NDAs proved useful.

— The Economist, "Memo to White House staff: keep talking," 22 Mar. 2018
Britain is one of a number of countries where educators and regulators say a litigious, protective culture has gone too far, leaching healthy risks out of childhood.

— ellen barry, New York Times, "In Britain’s Playgrounds, ‘Bringing in Risk’ to Build Resilience," 10 Mar. 2018
And despite his litigious ouster from Trump's orbit, Nunberg continued to speak often and admiringly of the president.

— washington post, latimes.com, "Who is Sam Nunberg? Many want to know," 6 Mar. 2018
Little is known about Shigeta, described by the AP as litigious in protecting his identity.

— alex horton, Washington Post, "Japanese millionaire dubbed the ‘baby factory’ dad just won custody of 13 surrogate children," 20 Feb. 2018
Cities in Tarrant County tend to not be horribly litigious with each other.

— deanna boyd and sandra baker, star-telegram, "Fort Worth has spent millions for jail services through the years. Was it necessary? | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 16 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'litigious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of litigious

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin litigiosus, from litigium dispute, from litigare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

LITIGIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

litigious

adjective

: too ready or eager to sue someone or something in a court of law : tending or likely to engage in lawsuits

Law Dictionary

litigious

adjective li·ti·gious \ li-ˈti-jəs \

1 : prone to engage in lawsuits or legal maneuvers especially to an excessive degree

a litigious pro se prisoner … filed fifty-one cases
—In re Oliver, 682 F.2d 443 (1982)

2 : subject to litigation

acquired only a possible litigious claim
—Wells v. Joseph, 95 So. 2d 843 (1957)

3 : of, relating to, or marked by litigation

—

litigiously

adverb

—

litigiousness

noun

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