PLAINTIFF Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

plaintiff

noun

ˈplān-təf

Definition of plaintiff

as in complainant

the person in a legal proceeding who makes a charge of wrongdoing against another the judge ruled that the plaintiff's lawsuit was groundless, and he dismissed it

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of plaintiff If there are no appeals, the remaining funds after attorneys' fees and the lead plaintiffs are paid will be distributed among eligible class members. — Brian Sloan,dan Avery, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 The broadcaster cited an earlier ruling by Lett that plaintiffs who choose to sue in federal court must follow its discovery rules. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 In March, a Los Angeles jury ordered Meta and Google to pay $6 million in damages to a 20-year-old plaintiff in a bellwether social media addiction trial. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 Shaw is also a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit brought by Children's Health Defense and others against the American Academy of Pediatrics, accusing the organization of racketeering and lying about the safety of vaccinations. — CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plaintiff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plaintiff

Noun

The assault claims range from the now-50-year-old putting his face in a co-worker’s crotch to exposing himself while traveling with a complainant in a car.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
The statute requires the Title IX coordinator to promptly contact the complainant to discuss available supportive measures, even if a formalcomplaint isn’t filed.

— Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of complainant

Noun

Although Roberts accuser is anonymous in the official paperwork, a woman named Jazzma Kendrick posted a series of allegations against Roberts that aligned with the claims against him on social media in September.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2026
Housing officials left the student in the room for two weeks after the accuser’s lawsuit publicly named him, prompting a professor to call the arrangement a security risk.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of accuser

Noun

Commercial cases are more complex, typically involving hundreds of pages of appraisals and legalese from the appellant.

— Alex Nitkin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
If the appeals court affirms the conviction, the handbook says the appellant can then petition the United States Supreme Court for a certiorari review.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Definition of appellant

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plaintiff

plaintiffs

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“Plaintiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plaintiff. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of plaintiff

noun

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