sue

verb

ˈsü 

sued; suing

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

suer noun

Synonyms

• seek
• request
• call (for)
• speak (for)
• plead (for)
• ask (for)

Examples of sue in a Sentence

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

The Trump administration made good on its threat of legal action earlier this week and is suing California for allowing transgender athletes to compete in K-12 sports. —Lia Russell updated July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025

Back at launch, there was an idea that Nintendo may sue for similar character designs, as there certainly were some similarities. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

First, Run the World, then-helmed by Qu, sued Jiang for computer fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty, per Axios. —Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 9 July 2025

Does Disney and Universal’s decision to sue AI image company Midjourney for copyright infringement signal a more litigious phase or will Hollywood reach a grand bargain with the Altmans of the world that gives them access to its content for a price? —Brent Lang, Variety, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sewen, siuen to follow, strive for, petition, from Anglo-French sivre, siure, from Vulgar Latin *sequere, from Latin sequi to follow; akin to Greek hepesthai to follow, Sanskrit sacate he accompanies

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Phrases Containing sue

• counter-sue
• sue for damages
• sue for divorce
• sue for peace

Rhymes for sue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

sue

verb

ˈsü 

sued; suing

1

: to seek justice from a person by bringing a legal action

2

: to make a request or application : plead

—usually used with for or to

the weaker nation sued for peace

suer noun

Legal Definition

sue

verb

sued; suing

transitive verb

: to bring an action against : seek justice from by legal process

intransitive verb

: to bring an action in court

Etymology

Anglo-French suer, suire, literally, to follow, pursue, from Old French sivre, ultimately from Latin sequi to follow

Biographical Definition

Sue

biographical name

ˈsü 

ˈsᵫ

Eugène 1804–1857 originally Marie-Joseph Sue French novelist