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

• ask (for)
• bespeak
• call (for)
• desire
• plead (for)
• quest
• request
• seek
• solicit
• speak (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

Confusion sparks debate Arizona attorney general leads 14-state coalition suing to block Elon Musk, DOGE Have a news tip or story idea about the border and its communities? —José Ignacio Castañeda Perez, The Arizona Republic, 15 Feb. 2025

Second, 22 state attorneys general are suing NIH to repeal the 15% cap. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025

Legal challenges: Democrats are alleging Vought does not have the authority to dismantle the agency, and a union representing CFPB workers sued Vought alleging a violation in separation of powers. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025

Nineteen states have sued to keep Musk's team from accessing Treasury's systems. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025

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

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