as in defendant
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of litigant
In the environmental cases, that could mean the Justice Department would stop defending the actions taken by the Environmental Protection Agency during the Biden administration that litigants have challenged.
—
Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
Harry and Watson's lawyers told the court this month that the litigants were not seeking financial advantage from the case.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025
At least until the next aggrieved litigant weighs in.
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
These litigants did not, however, file their lawsuit until the end of May this year and should have not have been rewarded for their own intentional delay in bringing their challenges.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for litigant 
Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
Harry and Watson's lawyers told the court this month that the litigants were not seeking financial advantage from the case.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025
At least until the next aggrieved litigant weighs in.
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
These litigants did not, however, file their lawsuit until the end of May this year and should have not have been rewarded for their own intentional delay in bringing their challenges.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for litigant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litigant
Noun
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The big picture: Interim U.S. Attorney Edward Martin, who was a lawyer for Jan. 6 defendants and was appointed to his new post minutes after President Trump was sworn in, has in recent weeks publicly vowed to defend Musk and DOGE.—
Sareen Habeshian,
Axios,
7 Feb. 2025
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Sign and Release Warrants Many people don’t change their address on their licenses, which leads to a defendant potentially not receiving their mail, which in some cases may be a summons to appear for a low level offense.—
Alex Malm,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Events make our bookstore fun, and midnight release parties are our favorites!—
American Booksellers Association,
USA TODAY,
9 Feb. 2025
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The 1970s in particular were a wild time for New Orleans, as the traditional celebration started to merge with the free-love party era, contributing to massive, raucous crowds filling Bourbon Street.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In his ruling formalizing the TRO, Nichols agreed with the plaintiffs' assertion that they could be harmed if they are placed on administrative leave and abruptly recalled from their host countries.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
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Claiborne is also listed as a plaintiff in the lawsuit, Billboard notes.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near litigant
Cite this Entry
“Litigant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litigant. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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