sue

verb

ˈsü 

sued; suing

transitive verb

1

a

: to seek justice or right from (a person) by legal process

specifically : to bring an action against

b

: to proceed with and follow up (a legal action) to proper termination

2

archaic : to pay court or suit to : woo

3

obsolete : to make petition to or for

intransitive verb

1

: to take legal proceedings in court

2

: to make a request or application : plead

—usually used with for or to

sue for peace

3

: to pay court : woo

He loved … but sued in vain …

—William Wordsworth

suer noun

Synonyms of sue

• seek
• request
• call (for)
• speak (for)
• plead (for)
• ask (for)

Examples of sue in a Sentence

Some people sue over the most minor things.

People injured in accidents caused by the defective tire have threatened to sue.

They've threatened to sue the company.

He is suing the doctor who performed the unnecessary surgery.

Recent Examples on the Web

NetChoice has sued California several times, including over a 2022 bill that attempted to force companies that have platforms likely used by children to offer stricter privacy settings. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

The Justice Department is suing to block Alaska from certifying a possible Democratic Senate victory if a second candidate named Sullivan remains on the ballot, setting up a federal-state clash. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

The request was the latest salvo in the messy war where Ghost is suing Wilson for defamation, and Wilson is pursuing counterclaims against the producers for alleged bullying, intimidation, and breach of contract. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sewen, siuen to follow, strive for, petition, from Anglo-French sivre, siure, from Vulgar Latin *sequere, from Latin sequi to follow; akin to Greek hepesthai to follow, Sanskrit sacate he accompanies

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Phrases Containing sue

• counter-sue
• sue for damages
• sue for divorce
• sue for peace

Rhymes for sue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

sue

verb

ˈsü 

sued; suing

1

: to seek justice from a person by bringing a legal action

2

: to make a request or application : plead

—usually used with for or to

the weaker nation sued for peace

suer noun

Legal Definition

sue

verb

sued; suing

transitive verb

: to bring an action against : seek justice from by legal process

intransitive verb

: to bring an action in court

Etymology

Anglo-French suer, suire, literally, to follow, pursue, from Old French sivre, ultimately from Latin sequi to follow

Biographical Definition

Sue

biographical name

ˈsü  ˈsᵫ 

Eugène 1804–1857 originally Marie-Joseph Sue French novelist