counterclaim

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.

Related 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 Temu’s counterclaim, which alleged that Shein violated competition law through its exclusive agreements with its suppliers, is reportedly set to go to trial next year. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 17 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for counterclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterclaim
Noun
  • In response, the watchdog group Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint Wednesday with the State Bar of California asking it to investigate whether Zacharia misrepresented herself as a lawyer in violation of California law.
    — Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In response, the watchdog group Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint Wednesday with the State Bar of California asking them to investigate whether Zacharia misrepresented herself as a lawyer in violation of California law.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The local district attorney declined to seek criminal charges, but the criminal case was reopened after the lawsuit was filed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Lawsuits over unpaid debt Public records from Mecklenburg District Court show the McGregors faced multiple lawsuits over unpaid debts and a nearly six-figure tax lien from the IRS.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • That effort resulted in nearly two decades of litigation with PG&E and almost $30 million in legal fees and other expenses, according to The Modesto Bee.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The need-to-know this morning Liquidia and United Therapeutics reached a settlement agreement that resolves their ongoing patent litigation over Liquidia’s treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
    — Elaine Chen, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The jury also rejected a countersuit brought by Joby that accused Aerosonic of selling it defective probes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Polymarket denies wrongdoing and filed a countersuit against New York in federal court.
    — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterclaim. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster