as in complaint
a court case brought against the plaintiff of another court case by the defendant
The defendant filed a counterclaim for his own injuries, claiming that he only rear-ended the plaintiff because she had stopped too fast.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counterclaim
Baldoni's counterclaim is also progressing through the federal court system.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
The deal collapses Lee assured Brody that Allen would not be involved in the management of the bar, Brody says in a counterclaim filed in February against Euphoric and UniKC.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025
The new suit is actually a counterclaim to a lawsuit Jones filed last December against Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, crisis manager Melissa Nathan, and publicist Jennifer Abel (who was previously Jones’ partner at her PR firm Jonesworks).
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
And then the two teams responded to NASCAR’s counterclaims Wednesday, asserting that the counter-lawsuit should be dismissed.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterclaim
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
The deal collapses Lee assured Brody that Allen would not be involved in the management of the bar, Brody says in a counterclaim filed in February against Euphoric and UniKC.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025
The new suit is actually a counterclaim to a lawsuit Jones filed last December against Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, crisis manager Melissa Nathan, and publicist Jennifer Abel (who was previously Jones’ partner at her PR firm Jonesworks).
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
And then the two teams responded to NASCAR’s counterclaims Wednesday, asserting that the counter-lawsuit should be dismissed.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterclaim
Noun
-
Russell Brand rape, assault charges follow BBC apology The charges against Brand follow a formal apology given by the BBC to employees in January over its handling of harassment complaints against the comedian during his tenure at the network.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
-
After a press tour rife with rumors of behind-the-scenes issues between the two, Lively filed an official complaint against him with the California Civil Rights Department.—
Emily Trainham,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
The agency will be required to submit a report showing who is being held and who was arrested, along with the reasoning for both, every 60 days until the lawsuit is resolved.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
In 2008, the George W. Bush administration released an edition of the assessment four years late, and only after it was compelled to do so by a lawsuit.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, related litigation in New York continues, where Lively and Baldoni are expected to face each other at trial in March 2026.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
The Ada County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment, citing pending litigation.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Smollett denied the accusations and filed a countersuit against the city, but he was indicted by a grand jury on 16 felony charges.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
2 May 2025
-
In that case, Baldoni has also filed a countersuit alleging defamation and civil extortion.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterclaim. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share