countersuit

noun

coun·​ter·​suit ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌsüt How to pronounce countersuit (audio)
variants or less commonly counter-suit
plural countersuits also counter-suits
Synonyms of countersuitnext
: an opposing lawsuit
especially : a claim asserted by an opposing party in a lawsuit (such as a defendant) against the party bringing the original lawsuit (such as a plaintiff) : counterclaim
decided to file a countersuit against her accuser
The current appeal results from a patent infringement suit and countersuit between Apple Inc. ("Apple") and Samsung Electronics Co … —Apple, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 816 F. 3d 788 (2016)

Examples of countersuit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In July 2023, Allen filed a countersuit against both of his accusers. — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026 The model's nondisclosure agreement broke down four years later, leading to a series of lawsuits and countersuits. — Graham Kates, CBS News, 26 June 2026 Meanwhile, the state’s original lawsuit, having survived both the countersuit and a turn in appeals court, is set for its next hearing in September. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 Baldoni rebuffed her accusations and filed a $400 million countersuit, but that was dismissed in June 2025. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for countersuit

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of countersuit was in 1814

Rhymes for countersuit

See All Rhymes for countersuit

Browse Nearby Words

countersuggestion
countersuit
countersun
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Countersuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countersuit. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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