Thesaurus results for COUNTERCLAIM

counterclaim

noun

Definition of counterclaim

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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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 As is the case with most election cycles, the claims and counterclaims about the ballot measures being voted on in California this time around are largely based on caricatures of the measures themselves. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 That arbitration process is ongoing, which Qualls has asked a judge to pause while her counterclaim is considered. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Depp won that case in 2022, though the jury also ruled in favor of one of Heard’s counterclaims. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for counterclaim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterclaim

Noun

The attorney’s complaint to Internal Affairs alleged Sguros used his position as a police officer to assume control of West’s property and said Sguros was pursuing a civil case related to the home.

— Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
In response, Argentine congresswoman Marcela Pagano filed a criminal complaint with the Federal Court of Puerto Iguazú regarding Bolsonaro’s entry and his subsequent departure on a private plane.

— Florencia Cabral, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of complaint

Noun

People who had already turned 55 when the law was enacted also were given until August 2021 to file lawsuits, no matter when the alleged abuse occurred.

— John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
In June, the district attorney’s office filed public nuisance lawsuits intended to shut down two motels, Super 7 Inn and Delux Inn, on South Freeway in Fort Worth that are beset by crime.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of lawsuit

Noun

The Justice Department would not comment on pending litigation, spokeswoman Kiersten Pels said.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
While firms once functioned as true partnerships centered on loyalty, they are now run more like sprawling businesses, trying to maximize profits by dominating every corner of the legal business from dealmaking and private capital to litigation.

— Lauren Hirsch, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of litigation

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countercharges

counterclaim

counterclaims

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“Counterclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterclaim. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of counterclaim

noun

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