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to sue

to sue

3.7
To take someone to court to ask for money
  • verb
  • /suː/
translation icon : demandar
  • So it's this or she will sue me in small claims court.
  • sue someone
  • sue a company
  • sue the government

What do you think about Elon suing Zuck for Threads?

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Examples

  • Then I can sue his doctors for malpractice.

  • Uh, under California law, you can sue without showing personal injury.

  • In fact, I'm going to sue her.

  • And then I'm going to sue the landlord; my whole family says I should.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • He can sue the paper for a million dollars.

  • If Price does, McMichael could sue him for breach of contract.

  • You can sue me.

  • But schools are still nervous, afraid that they will be sued, says Dr. Norris.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Rie's father responded by threatening to sue and publicly air the dispute in the media.

    Academic text (2013)
  • She decided to sue the company for unfair dismissal after being terminated without notice.

Synonyms

to file a lawsuit
vsto sue
  • Formal
35 4.6

To start legal action by giving a complaint to a court

is the general act of starting court action against a person or organization
to litigate
vsto sue
  • Specialized
27 8.2

Take a disagreement to court so a judge can decide it

focuses on starting the action rather than the ongoing dispute handling
to take legal action
vsto sue
  • Formal
8 4.8

To start a court case against someone by suing them

specifies bringing a case to court rather than other legal measures

Antonyms

596 3.3

To end an argument by agreement or decision

Compounds

Mary Sue
  • Jargon
1 9.6

A character who seems too perfect and has no real problems

How Legal

to prosecute
354 6.1
to sue
3.7
to take legal action
  • Formal
8 4.8
to complain
1.0

Surface Forms

sue infinitive
sued past
sued past participle
suing present participle
sues third person singular

Etymology

The word sue comes from the old root sequi, which means 'to follow', and you can see the same idea in the English word pursue. So, to sue someone is to 'pursue' them with a legal case.