plaintiff

Definition of plaintiffnext
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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Example Sentences

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 Groups including the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State are representing the plaintiffs, a group of both religious and nonreligious families who want to stop the law. Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026 Ultimately, whether the jury sides for or against Kaley in her case, the decision could guide the legal strategy and outcomes for both plaintiffs and the companies in other cases. Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026 While arguing the case last spring, Justice Department lawyers acknowledged that if the tariffs were deemed unlawful, then the government would issue refunds to the plaintiffs. Jason Ma, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026 Katharine Biele, president of the League of Women Voters of Utah, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, applauded the ruling. ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plaintiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plaintiff
Noun
  • The ethics inquiry board deliberated on the motion to dismiss and held the motion in abeyance pending the complainant’s witnesses testifying.
    Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Fong declined to specify the nature of the allegations or identify complainants, beyond confirming that the accusations were unrelated to either Gomez or Henrich.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Wexner in the deposition also denied ever meeting prominent Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre in Epstein’s presence.
    Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Virginia's Law named for Epstein accuser Schumer introduced Virginia's Law, named for Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein's earliest accusers.
    Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In a previous statement to Maryland Matters, an EPA spokesperson criticized Maryland for not complying with its directive to reissue the air permit with instructions for appellants to go to the Environmental Appeals Board.
    Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Appeals are filed online through the county here, and appellants should get a confirmation email after filing, Beasley said.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plaintiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plaintiff. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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