counterclaim

as in complaint
a court case brought against the plaintiff of another court case by the defendant The defendant filed a counterclaim for his own injuries, claiming that he only rear-ended the plaintiff because she had stopped too fast.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of counterclaim In March, Williams filed a counterclaim in Mecklenburg County Court, accusing Baumgarten of tarnishing her reputation as Opera Carolina’s leader. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 5 May 2025 In her counterclaim, Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages but no punitive damages. Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024 In February 2024, Fannie Mae sued the company and sought an emergency appointment of a receiver. 728 N Jennings RD Partners filed a counterclaim, accusing Fannie Mae of breach of contract and breach of good faith and fair dealing. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2025 Indeed, Geffen filed nearly 100 pages of counterclaims, some of which point to signs that Sun may have known about the transaction all along. Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counterclaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterclaim
Noun
  • The complaint alleged the men locked O.C.G. in a room for several days and released him only after his sister paid a ransom.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
  • According to the mother's complaint, Sekulow and his son did not want to be associated with hiring a gay man at their organization the American Center for Law and Justice, Inc (ACLJ).
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • The ruling Monday by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was the latest twist in a lawsuit against LAPD officer Toni McBride over an on-duty shooting that occurred in April 2020.
    Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
  • The legal filing comes less than a year after Eight Mile Style lost its copyright infringement lawsuit against Spotify after five years due to a legal loophole.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • After extensive litigation in multiple states, FedEx paid nearly half a billion dollars in settlement payments for misclassification.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • The payout was approved on June 3, in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Jose Rivas Barillas, who was 16 when the fight occurred, according to a settlement of litigation document obtained by PEOPLE.
    Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Now, Robinson has filed a countersuit against the plaintiffs, accusing them of defamation and seeking $500 million in damages.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 29 May 2025
  • Smollett denied the accusations and filed a countersuit against the city, but he was indicted by a grand jury on 16 felony charges.
    EW.com, EW.com, 25 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Counterclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterclaim. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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