sue

verb

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\ ˈsü

sued; suing

Definition of sue

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to seek justice or right from (a person) by legal process specifically : to bring an action against

b : to proceed with and follow up (a legal action) to proper termination

2 archaic : to pay court or suit to : woo

3 obsolete : to make petition to or for

intransitive verb

1 : to take legal proceedings in court

2 : to make a request or application : plead —usually used with for or to sue for peace

3 : to pay court : woo he loved … but sued in vain— William Wordsworth

Sue

biographical name

\ ˈsü

, ˈsᵫ \

Definition of Sue (Entry 2 of 2)

Eugène 1804–1857 originally Marie-Joseph Sue French novelist

Other Words from sue More Example Sentences Learn More About sue

Examples of sue in a Sentence

Verb Some people sue over the most minor things. People injured in accidents caused by the defective tire have threatened to sue. They've threatened to sue the company. He is suing the doctor who performed the unnecessary surgery.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Apple is at least the second major US tech firm to sue NSO Group. — Sean Lyngaas, CNN, 23 Nov. 2021 Attorneys from the Murphy firm have notified the town of Ocean City of their intent to sue, alleging the arrests reveal a pattern of unreasonable force by Ocean City police. — Phil Davis, baltimoresun.com, 22 Nov. 2021 Notices of intent to sue were also sent to Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and attorney Kevin Smith for $2.5 million for defamation for their actions around the time Batistatos was relieved of his duties by the board. — Carrie Napoleon, chicagotribune.com, 19 Nov. 2021 Now his widow is the latest plaintiff to sue Sheriff Bill Gore for wrongful death. — Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2021 Republican governors and attorneys general are expected to immediately sue OSHA to block the rules. — Emily Schultheis, USA TODAY, 19 Nov. 2021 That prompted a number of states and companies to sue the administration in the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, one of the most conservative courts in the country. — Josh Fischman, Scientific American, 19 Nov. 2021 The new plaintiffs join Paredes, who was the first to sue the rappers, venue and ticket site following the Astroworld tragedy on Nov. 5. — Taylor Pettaway, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Nov. 2021 Altogether, Brito raised more than $30,000 through GoFundMe from people who wanted to sue the governor and Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle. — Caroline Glenn, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Nov. 2021

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

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Dictionary Entries Near sue

sudsy

sue

Sue

Statistics for sue

Last Updated

27 Nov 2021

Cite this Entry

“Sue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sue. Accessed 30 Nov. 2021.

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More Definitions for sue

sue

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sue

: to use a legal process by which you try to get a court of law to force a person, company, or organization that has treated you unfairly or hurt you in some way to give you something or to do something : to bring a lawsuit against someone or something

See the full definition for sue in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sue

verb

\ ˈsü

sued; suing