countersue: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Legal, Formal
Quick answer
What does “countersue” mean?
To sue someone in response to being sued by them.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To sue someone in response to being sued by them.
To file a civil lawsuit against a party who has already initiated legal proceedings against you, typically as a defensive or retaliatory legal strategy within the same broader dispute.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used identically in both jurisdictions. Spelling is the same; no regional variant exists.
Connotations
Connotes a strategic, often aggressive, legal move. It implies the original lawsuit was seen as unfounded or that the defendant has their own grievances.
Frequency
More common in American legal discourse due to higher litigation rates, but standard in UK legal English.
Grammar
How to Use “countersue” in a Sentence
countersue [sb] (for sth)countersue for [damages/defamation/etc.]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “countersue” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The defendant indicated they would countersue for malicious falsehood.
- After being sued for libel, the newspaper decided to countersue.
American English
- The company threatened to countersue for defamation and legal costs.
- He countersued his former partner for breach of fiduciary duty.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contractual disputes where one party's breach claim is met with a negligence claim from the other.
Academic
Discussed in law journals regarding litigation strategy and tort law.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; appears in news reports about celebrity or corporate legal battles.
Technical
A standard procedural term in civil litigation, often governed by specific court rules.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “countersue”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “countersue”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “countersue”
- Using 'countersue' as a noun (*"file a countersue"). Correct: "file a countersuit".
- Confusing with 'appeal' (which challenges a verdict, not the plaintiff).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In many jurisdictions, they are used interchangeably. However, technically, a counterclaim is a claim brought within the existing lawsuit, while a countersuit can sometimes refer to a separate, but related, lawsuit.
Typically, a countersuit is filed during the proceedings of the original case. After a final judgment, new claims would usually constitute a new, separate lawsuit.
While individuals can represent themselves (pro se), the complexity of filing a legally valid countersuit that meets procedural rules makes legal representation highly advisable.
It significantly increases the cost, duration, and complexity of litigation. It can also be perceived as overly aggressive, potentially harming settlement negotiations.
To sue someone in response to being sued by them.
Countersue is usually legal, formal in register.
Countersue: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.tə.suː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.t̬ɚ.suː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Turn the legal tables”
- “Sue back”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COUNTER-attack with a lawSUIT = COUNTERSUE.
Conceptual Metaphor
LITIGATION IS WAR (retaliatory strike, legal defence).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of 'countersuing'?