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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Recent Examples of counterclaim
In a counterclaim, Giles attorney said Martha Jefferson overcharged her.
—
Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
The counterclaim also includes several other complaints, including breach of fiduciary duty, fraud by omission, and interference with prospective business relations.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Worse, Paramount’s fraud and copyright infringement counterclaims—alleging Gray deliberately hid his participation (which Gray denies)—were greenlit for trial.
—Tom Dotan, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
In his counterclaims against Stalcup, the former analyst accused of stealing and doctoring documents alleges the 2023 capital calls used misleading statements to get people to pitch in.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterclaim
Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
The counterclaim also includes several other complaints, including breach of fiduciary duty, fraud by omission, and interference with prospective business relations.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Worse, Paramount’s fraud and copyright infringement counterclaims—alleging Gray deliberately hid his participation (which Gray denies)—were greenlit for trial.
—Tom Dotan, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
In his counterclaims against Stalcup, the former analyst accused of stealing and doctoring documents alleges the 2023 capital calls used misleading statements to get people to pitch in.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterclaim
Noun
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In 13 years, not a single ethics complaint by any staff in his office or any other office has ever been lodged.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
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Demuth now has seven days to refer both the complaints to the House Ethics Committee for consideration and hearings will be scheduled to discuss each filing.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The lawsuit comes amid growing tension at the state Capitol between the Opportunity Caucus, made up of centrist Democrats, and the Progressive Caucus.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Deputy Richard Fatherley, who is named as a defendant in the federal lawsuit, is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in Wyandotte County for his alleged role in Adair’s death.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The litigation for that case is still ongoing.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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The insurance chaos began to surface in late October, after the Texas judge presiding over Prospect’s bankruptcy lifted the initial litigation hold.—
Peter Elkind,
ProPublica,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Baldoni later filed a $400 million countersuit against the Gossip Girl actress, her husband Ryan Reynolds,49, , publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane’s PR firm, alleging defamation and breach of contract, the case was dismissed by Judge Liman in June 2025.—
Elizabeth Rosner,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
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The countersuit asked for at least $1 million in damages.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterclaim. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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