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
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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The defendants were officials with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, and Attorney General Raúl Labrador.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
1 July 2025
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The defendants have moved to dismiss the claims but the case is currently ongoing.—
Zach Everson,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
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On July 13, Saturn (the planet of karma and lessons) starts its retrograde cycle in the sign of Aries, with Mercury retrograde joining the party a few days later on the 18th.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
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The judge also ordered the parties to address whether and how the Supreme Court's recent ruling limiting universal injunctions should apply to her order.—
Alexander Tin,
CBS News,
1 July 2025
Noun
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In her decision, Brailsford said the plaintiffs will likely show there is no federal requirement to verify immigration status for people to receive the medication, and Idaho does not have the ability to add that requirement for those in the country without documentation.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
1 July 2025
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The case isn't over yet; the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on May 21 with the D.C. circuit.—
Tax Notes Staff,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litigant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litigant. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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