as in defendants
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 litigants
In this case, however, your expertise is needed to help a jury (or litigants) decide whether someone’s personal or professional behavior deviated from the norm in a way that would irreparably harm another person.
—
Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
My leadership on the bench is guided by judicial ethics, the Constitution, and a commitment to impartiality, independence, and due process — principles that serve all litigants, regardless of political belief.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Councilors Tiffany Koyama Lane and Mitch Green personally offered to connect prospective litigants with the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and the state attorney general’s office.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 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
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were once prolific litigants and between them have sued Associated Newspapers, the publisher of , alone of four times.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Black citizens could now testify, regardless of litigants’ race.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
In this case, the majority of the court reached for an issue no one presented, setting aside the normal procedure of dealing only with the facts and questions presented by the litigants, Wood said.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
These litigants have spared no expense and likely would continue to pursue every possible path to a win.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
My leadership on the bench is guided by judicial ethics, the Constitution, and a commitment to impartiality, independence, and due process — principles that serve all litigants, regardless of political belief.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Councilors Tiffany Koyama Lane and Mitch Green personally offered to connect prospective litigants with the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and the state attorney general’s office.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 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
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were once prolific litigants and between them have sued Associated Newspapers, the publisher of , alone of four times.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Black citizens could now testify, regardless of litigants’ race.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
In this case, the majority of the court reached for an issue no one presented, setting aside the normal procedure of dealing only with the facts and questions presented by the litigants, Wood said.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
These litigants have spared no expense and likely would continue to pursue every possible path to a win.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litigants
Noun
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The government did not specify in the brief, which was filed ahead of a status conference Wednesday, which of the defendants are poised to receive a plea deal.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
5 Mar. 2026
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The team will help defendants establish eligibility for mental health diversion and ensure they are positioned for success in the program.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The remaining 110 seats in the 275-member body will be allocated through a proportional representation system, under which political parties nominate lawmakers based on their share of the vote.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Double Tap Pub, LIGA Boise and Brixx Craft House will host watch parties in Boise, and Garden City’s Belmont Brew House also will have one.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The plaintiffs signed that agreement without being allowed to have an attorney to review it, King wrote.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
4 Mar. 2026
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Attorneys for plaintiffs in other, similar cases, however, say Abbott’s threat to pull the formulas is a scare tactic.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Litigants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litigants. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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