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
In prioritizing splashy lawsuit announcements over long-term success in court, the Justice Department is adopting the strategy of other right-wing litigants.
—
Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
While that move failed, the subsequent legal action—which included star quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees as litigants—led to a federal judge ordering owners to end the lockout.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026
Gonzalez Rogers heaped praise on the jurors during the trial and alluded to the contrast between them and the billionaire witnesses and litigants.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 15 May 2026
On one side is challenger Holly Cook, who has filed for bankruptcy twice, been held in contempt of court on nine counts, been pursued by multiple collections agencies and once was labeled a vexatious litigant, court records showed.
—Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for litigant
Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
While that move failed, the subsequent legal action—which included star quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees as litigants—led to a federal judge ordering owners to end the lockout.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026
Gonzalez Rogers heaped praise on the jurors during the trial and alluded to the contrast between them and the billionaire witnesses and litigants.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 15 May 2026
On one side is challenger Holly Cook, who has filed for bankruptcy twice, been held in contempt of court on nine counts, been pursued by multiple collections agencies and once was labeled a vexatious litigant, court records showed.
—Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for litigant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litigant
Noun
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The Associated Press couldn't immediately reach any of the defendants or their attorneys for comment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
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After a jury awarded $176 million in compensatory damages to the Iskander family last week, further punitive damages were issued on Wednesday for defendants Rebecca Grossman and former Dodger Scott Erickson.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Vegas pulled Carter Hart with about three minutes to go, officially entering desperation mode, but nothing worked, and Nikolaj Ehlers scored an empty-netter to start the party.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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Pre‑game party draws thousands Netherlands soccer fans gathered outside Choctaw Stadium for a pre‑game celebration with live music, a DJ, and entertainment.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Lawsuits brought by some cities and other plaintiffs challenging a 2025 rule resulted in courts placing some changes on hold.—
Julie Appleby,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
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The Grammy-winning singer — who was born Jason Bradley DeFord — is named as the plaintiff in a divorce case filed in May in Williamson County, Tennessee, against his wife, Alisa Andrea DeFord.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Litigant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litigant. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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