litigate

IPA/ˈlɪtɪɡeɪt/
KK[lˈɪtɪɡˌet]IPA/ˈlɪtɪɡeɪt/

litigate — verb

  • litigatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • litigateshe / she / it
  • litigatedpast simple
  • litigating-ing form

1. to take a legal disagreement to a court of law so that a judge or jury can make

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to take a legal disagreement to a court of law so that a judge or jury can make a formal decision about it

例句

The company decided to litigate the dispute rather than settle out of court.

litigate + noun phrase (dispute/case/claim)

Vikram worried that litigating against his former business partner would ruin their friendship.

litigate + against + person

同義詞
  • sue

    Much more common in everyday English; focuses on starting legal action rather than carrying it through the full court process

  • take to court

    Informal everyday expression; less precise and does not specify the full litigation process

  • prosecute

    Used for criminal cases brought by the state, not for civil disputes between private parties

反義詞
  • settle

    To resolve a disagreement without going to court, often through negotiation or payment

  • arbitrate

    To resolve a dispute through an independent third party outside the court system

文法句型

litigate + noun phrase

litigate + against + someone

litigate + over + something

用法筆記

A formal legal term. In everyday conversation, speakers often use 'sue' or 'take to court' instead. The object of litigation is typically the dispute itself (a case, claim, or matter), not the person you are suing — when mentioning the opponent, use 'litigate against [someone]'.

常見錯誤

❌We will litigate them for the damages.
✅We will litigate against them for the damages.
💡When referring to the person you are taking to court, use 'litigate against' (intransitive pattern). The direct object should be the dispute or case itself: 'litigate a claim'.
❌They litigated the contract.' (when meaning they signed it)
✅They litigated the contract dispute.
💡'Litigate' refers to the legal process over a disagreement, not to simply handling a document.