litigate
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˈlɪtɪˌɡeɪt/
KK: /ˈlɪtɪˌɡeɪt/
intransitive verb
Definition
To take legal action or go to court to resolve a dispute.
Example
The company decided to litigate against the competitor for patent infringement.
Tense Forms
Past: litigated
Past Participle: litigated
Conversation
Did you hear about the company that decided to litigate over their contract dispute?
Yeah, I saw that! It seems like such a waste of time.
Right? I feel like they could have just settled it peacefully instead of having to litigate.
Exactly! Legal battles can get so messy and expensive.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
sue
contest
argue
Antonyms
settle
reconcile
compromise
transitive verb
Definition
To take a legal case to court in order to resolve a dispute.
Example
The company decided to litigate against the competitor for patent infringement.
Tense Forms
Past: litigated
Past Participle: litigated
Conversation
Have you heard about the company that decided to litigate over the contract dispute?
Yeah, I read about that; it sounds like a messy situation.
I can't believe they would choose to litigate instead of just negotiating.
Root Explanation
Litigate → It is formed from "litigare" (meaning to dispute or bring a lawsuit) which comes from "lis" (meaning a lawsuit or dispute) and "agere" (meaning to do or act). The word 'litigate' refers to the act of engaging in a legal dispute or lawsuit.
Memory Tip
Think of 'disputing' ('lis') and 'acting' ('agere') in a legal context — that's why litigate means to engage in a lawsuit.
Visually Confused Words
relitigate
mitigate
lithiate
ligate
unlitigated
militiate
instigate
vitiate