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
Lucido is suing John Schapka, the county's corporation counsel, and the ethics board in a June 28 lawsuit that also has a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stay ethics board proceedings against Lucido, per Macomb County Circuit Court online records.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 6 July 2024
He was sued last month in Broward Circuit Court, allegedly for defaulting on a JP Morgan Chase personal credit card.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2024
In response, six groups, including The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, sued Metro Nashville about a month after the shooting.
—Evan Mealins, USA TODAY, 5 July 2024
After an Idaho teachers union as well as individual University of Idaho professors sued Labrador and other state officials in 2023, the AG sought dismissal of the lawsuit and said academic speech would not be considered in violation of the law.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sue 
Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 6 July 2024
He was sued last month in Broward Circuit Court, allegedly for defaulting on a JP Morgan Chase personal credit card.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2024
In response, six groups, including The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, sued Metro Nashville about a month after the shooting.
—Evan Mealins, USA TODAY, 5 July 2024
After an Idaho teachers union as well as individual University of Idaho professors sued Labrador and other state officials in 2023, the AG sought dismissal of the lawsuit and said academic speech would not be considered in violation of the law.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sue
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sue
Cite this Entry
“Sue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sue. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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