litigate
verb
lit·i·gate
ˈli-tə-ˌgāt 
litigated; litigating
: to carry on a legal contest by judicial (see judicial sense 1a) process
only states can litigate before this court—
R. H. Heindel
R. H. HeindelExamples of litigate in a Sentence
They agree to litigate all disputes in this court.
The company's unwillingness to make a deal increased her desire to litigate.
Recent Examples on the Web
He was arrested back in February and is still under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention while his case is litigated.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025
But answers could come sooner than the customary years-long wait if the justices decide to lift the temporary restraints from lower courts on Trump's policies while the cases are litigated.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
An appeals court ruled last month that Cohen is on the hook for the $187 million, but this is still being litigated.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
The State's request is premature, excessively broad and must be denied until the request can be disclosed specifically and properly litigated.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litigate
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Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025
But answers could come sooner than the customary years-long wait if the justices decide to lift the temporary restraints from lower courts on Trump's policies while the cases are litigated.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
An appeals court ruled last month that Cohen is on the hook for the $187 million, but this is still being litigated.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
The State's request is premature, excessively broad and must be denied until the request can be disclosed specifically and properly litigated.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litigate
Cite this Entry
“Litigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/litigate. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
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Legal Definition
litigate
verb
lit·i·gate
ˈli-tə-ˌgāt
litigated; litigating
: to seek resolution of a legal contest by judicial process
chose to litigate rather than settle
: to make the subject of a suit
litigate a claim
broadly
: to contest or resolve in court
litigate an insanity defense
litigational
adjective
-shə-nəl
litigatory
adjective
ˈli-tə-gə-ˌtōr-ē
Etymology
Latin litigatus, past participle of litigare, from lit-, lis lawsuit + agere to drive
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