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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of litigant
If the justices rule against nationwide injunctions, one option for expanding the reach of specific cases would be for litigants to join together in class-action lawsuits.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 May 2025
Some laws seek to blunt the economic harm of SLAPP suits and require litigants who bring SLAPP suits to pay defendants’ legal costs and attorney fees if those suits are unsuccessful.
—Jennifer Safstrom, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
Those litigants generally have been treated leniently by judges who recognize their inexperience; they seldom are fined, though their cases may be dismissed.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Crypto deals raise questions Unless court orders are narrowly tailored to only cover the actual litigants, the administration argues, judges will have too much power to stall crucial presidential actions.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for litigant
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 May 2025
Some laws seek to blunt the economic harm of SLAPP suits and require litigants who bring SLAPP suits to pay defendants’ legal costs and attorney fees if those suits are unsuccessful.
—Jennifer Safstrom, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
Those litigants generally have been treated leniently by judges who recognize their inexperience; they seldom are fined, though their cases may be dismissed.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Crypto deals raise questions Unless court orders are narrowly tailored to only cover the actual litigants, the administration argues, judges will have too much power to stall crucial presidential actions.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for litigant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litigant
Noun
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When New York comptroller and fellow mayoral candidate Brad Lander was taken into ICE custody this week while escorting a defendant out of immigration court, Mamdani stood alongside Lander’s wife and protested the arrest.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
21 June 2025
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Some of the findings should bolster plaintiffs’ arguments, while others may be more helpful to defendants.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Protesters have threatened to block access to canals and city streets in an effort to block wedding attendees from reaching party venues in the city, according to Variety.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Cut the bars into smaller squares, and serve with a glass of sparkling wine at a party for a special treat.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
20 June 2025
Noun
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In November, a jury sided with Ferguson, and Judge Cotton Walker awarded more than $43.8 million to the plaintiffs on Monday, according to court documents.—
Alex Sundby
June 19,
CBS News,
19 June 2025
-
Both sides, meaning the plaintiffs being the athletes and the defendants meaning the conferences and the NCAA.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litigant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litigant. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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