sues; sued; suing
: 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
Some people sue over the most minor things.
People injured in accidents caused by the defective tire have threatened to sue.
—often + forThey're suing for damages. [=suing to get money for the unfair treatment, damage, etc., that they have suffered]
His wife is suing for divorce. [=his wife has begun a legal process in order to get a divorce]
They've threatened to sue the company.
He is suing the doctor who performed the unnecessary surgery.
—often + forThey're suing the company for damages.
She's suing her husband for divorce.
Cite this Entry
“Sue.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/sue. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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