as in defendant
law
someone who brings a legal action against another person or against whom a legal action is brought
Both litigants chose to represent themselves in court.
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Recent Examples of litigant
Such reactions from a judge are not generally considered a favorable omen for a litigant.
—
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Such a result would be nonsensical and a miscarriage of justice to the Bevins and other divorce litigants in Kentucky.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Even the most skilled, experienced litigant would have a tough time throwing out a case like this at a preliminary hearing stage.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
In addition, Jordan is a seasoned litigant.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litigant
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Such a result would be nonsensical and a miscarriage of justice to the Bevins and other divorce litigants in Kentucky.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Even the most skilled, experienced litigant would have a tough time throwing out a case like this at a preliminary hearing stage.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
In addition, Jordan is a seasoned litigant.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litigant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litigant
Noun
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Dressed in a button-down shirt and slacks, with restraints across his stomach, wrists and legs, defendant Stacey Wondra sat between his public defenders Tuesday and listened as witness after witness took the stand at the Payette County Courthouse.—
Alex Brizee
March 3,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
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Timing of Galati’s killing central to case The lawsuit names Sacramento County, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office as defendants.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Early voting data suggest a notable uptick in early Democratic turnout, which could point to a continuing trend of strong enthusiasm among the party’s base.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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But Cornyn's precarious stature as an incumbent vulnerable in his own party's primary has been the focus of a majority of the massive sums spent by both sides in the run up to March 3.—
THOMAS BEAUMONT,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Supreme Court’s decision offered no guidance on remediation for importers that paid into the IEEPA tariff scheme, though justices questioned both lawyers for the plaintiffs and the defense about what such a process might look like during oral arguments in November.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Mar. 2026
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The suit was filed on behalf of two anonymous plaintiffs affected by the law, who are trans men.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Litigant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litigant. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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