sue

1 of 2

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

suer

2 of 2

noun

su·​er

ˈsüə(r), 

ˈsu̇(ə)r, 

-u̇ə

plural -s

: one that sues

Synonyms of sue

Verb

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

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

In a July 31 motion, Paramount requested the judge schedule the trial in November, while the states and the Writers Guild of America, who are also suing to stop the merger, requested the trial take place in March. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026

Last week, the state of New York sued Kalshi to stop it from operating in the state, arguing that the platform constitutes unlicensed gambling. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026

SpaceXAI has been sued for using natural gas-burning turbines to power its facilities in Memphis without first installing pollution controls and obtaining federal permits. — Ari Levy,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026

Kalshi sued Utah in February, asking a federal judge to prevent the state from enforcing its gambling restrictions on the platform. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Middle English, from suen to sue + -er

First Known Use

Verb

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

Verb

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