counterclaim

noun

Definition of counterclaimnext
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.

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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 Wheeler also filed a counterclaim accusing Martinez of converting $50,000 in restaurant money for his own use. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 In Georgia, Teddy’s Market has answered with counterclaims arguing Buc-ee's is squeezing smaller rivals with claims that don't hold. — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The Pac-12 provided its answer to the counterclaim in April, and a trial was set for that matter in July 2027. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Williams, who had filed counterclaims against Baumgarten for allegedly making false and defamatory statements about her and tarnishing her reputation, also voluntarily dismissed her suit at the same time. — Catherine Muccigrosso july 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterclaim
  1. complaint
  2. lawsuit
  3. litigation
  4. countersuit
Noun
  • As for his SpaceX funds, Meyer told investors in 2021 that a large purchase in SpaceX assets had closed even though the third-party fund that held the shares wouldn’t approve the transfer, the complaint states.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In a 2020 lawsuit, Dougan alleged he was retaliated against after an investigation was conducted into a complaint of gender discrimination that originated in the Fire Department’s Communications Center.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of complaint
Noun
  • In August, Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle a multistate lawsuit involving child safety issues.
    — Mikella Schuettler, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • California rapper and producer Ovrkast is pushing back against a lawsuit filed by influential hip-hop duo Outkast.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of lawsuit
Noun
  • The parties involved in the litigation—as well as Red Lobster itself, which is not being sued—declined to comment for this article, but their court filings lay out the sad saga in dramatic detail.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But that free-wheeling period of sampling came to an end as copyright infringement litigation against artist Biz Markie led to new rules around it, creating both a logistical and financial barrier to its use.
    — Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of litigation
Noun
  • Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit the next month accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and The New York Times of civil extortion, defamation and false light.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The federal ruling from Denver was clarified three days later to exclude athletes who'd already signed professional contracts, which prompted a countersuit filed in Louisiana state court that gained a temporary restraining order on Wednesday.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of countersuit

Browse Nearby Words

countercharges
counterclaim
counterclaims
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterclaim. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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