sued; suing
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
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
William Wordsworth
suer
noun
Synonyms
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
The decision is a significant — and rare — win for Jones, who has been embroiled in a long legal battle with relatives of the 26 children and educators killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., who sued Jones for defamation in 2018.
—Tovia Smith, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the Sandy Hook families who sued Jones in Connecticut, said they were disappointed in the judge’s ruling.
—Dave Collins, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
The Heritage Foundation is suing the Biden Administration in an effort to force the release of the prince's visa records.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
The companies own dozens of grocery chains, including Safeway, Vons, Harris Teeter and Fred Meyer.
Albertsons also sued Kroger for breach of its contract agreement, alleging Kroger caused the merger to be blocked.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sue 
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.
Tovia Smith, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the Sandy Hook families who sued Jones in Connecticut, said they were disappointed in the judge’s ruling.
—Dave Collins, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
The Heritage Foundation is suing the Biden Administration in an effort to force the release of the prince's visa records.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
The companies own dozens of grocery chains, including Safeway, Vons, Harris Teeter and Fred Meyer.
Albertsons also sued Kroger for breach of its contract agreement, alleging Kroger caused the merger to be blocked.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sue
Dictionary Entries Near sue
Cite this Entry
“Sue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sue. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Biographical Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share