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
William Wordsworth suer noun
Synonyms
- ask (for)
- bespeak
- call (for)
- desire
- plead (for)
- quest
- request
- seek
- solicit
- speak (for)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 False Claims Act allows whistleblowers to act as private attorneys general who can sue in the government's name and take a hefty slice of any recovery (15-30%). Max Voldman, Fortune, 22 July 2022 The legislation unveiled Friday seeks to strike a compromise, including a limit on when and how users can sue Internet companies, and measures that would supersede most state digital privacy laws. Cristiano Lima, Washington Post, 3 June 2022 But whether the defendant also can sue the officer has remained an open question. David Lautersenior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2022 Crikey, a small news site, had essentially lobbied Murdoch to sue it as a test of Australia’s laws protecting journalistic free speech. Jeremy Barr, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2022 In a debate, Ms. Lake insisted Mr. Stevens was lying about performing at her home and her campaign threatened to sue him for defamation. New York Times, 22 July 2022 Elon Musk has responded to Twitter's plan to sue him after a deal to buy the social networking website fell through. Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE.com, 11 July 2022 Twitter has the right to sue him to follow through with the current agreement. Cara Lombardo, WSJ, 15 June 2022 Moore has adamantly denied the allegations, causing Corfman to sue him for defamation. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 10 June 2022 See More
Max Voldman, Fortune, 22 July 2022 The legislation unveiled Friday seeks to strike a compromise, including a limit on when and how users can sue Internet companies, and measures that would supersede most state digital privacy laws. Cristiano Lima, Washington Post, 3 June 2022 But whether the defendant also can sue the officer has remained an open question. David Lautersenior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2022 Crikey, a small news site, had essentially lobbied Murdoch to sue it as a test of Australia’s laws protecting journalistic free speech. Jeremy Barr, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2022 In a debate, Ms. Lake insisted Mr. Stevens was lying about performing at her home and her campaign threatened to sue him for defamation. New York Times, 22 July 2022 Elon Musk has responded to Twitter's plan to sue him after a deal to buy the social networking website fell through. Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE.com, 11 July 2022 Twitter has the right to sue him to follow through with the current agreement. Cara Lombardo, WSJ, 15 June 2022 Moore has adamantly denied the allegations, causing Corfman to sue him for defamation. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 10 June 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
sue
verb
ˈsü
sued; suing
: to seek justice or right by bringing legal action
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
Biographical Definition
Sue
biographical name
ˈsü
ˈsᵫ
Eugène 1804–1857 originally Marie-Joseph Sue French novelist
suing
verb
1
as in asking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- asking
- invoking
- requesting
- desiring
- insisting
- claiming
- forcing
- requiring
- coercing
- petitioning
- mooching
- sponging
- cadging
- bludging
- demanding
- begging
- praying
- imploring
- compelling
- entreating
- conjuring
- beseeching
- besieging
- soliciting
- importuning
- supplicating
- impetrating
- commanding
- appealing (to)
- pleading (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- implying
- suggesting
- intimating
- hinting
- appeasing
- obliging
- satisfying
- gratifying
- placating
- pleasing
- conciliating
- pacifying
- consoling
- contenting
- comforting
- quieting
- mollifying
2
as in prosecuting
Synonyms & Similar Words
- prosecuting
- trying
- citing
- appealing
- implicating
- reporting
- arraigning
- summoning
- retaliating
- accusing
- chiding
- blaming
- taxing
- criticizing
- naming
- rebuking
- inculpating
- booking
- denouncing
- castigating
- faulting
- defaming
- impugning
- indicting
- recriminating
- reproving
- condemning
- framing
- reproaching
- censuring
- informing (against)
- impeaching
- reprobating
- incriminating
- damning
- criminating
- charging
- calling (on)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- defending
- vindicating
- advocating
- absolving
- exonerating
- acquitting
- clearing
- exculpating
- justifying
- championing
- excusing
- forgiving
- remitting
- pardoning
- shriving