as in defendant
law
someone who brings a legal action against another person or against whom a legal action is brought
Both litigants chose to represent themselves in court.
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Recent Examples of litigant
My leadership on the bench is guided by judicial ethics, the Constitution, and a commitment to impartiality, independence, and due process — principles that serve all litigants, regardless of political belief.
—
Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
He's been a very active litigant in cases that are designed to punish and to push back on the coverage in these spaces.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Councilors Tiffany Koyama Lane and Mitch Green personally offered to connect prospective litigants with the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and the state attorney general’s office.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
Such reactions from a judge are not generally considered a favorable omen for a litigant.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for litigant
Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
He's been a very active litigant in cases that are designed to punish and to push back on the coverage in these spaces.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Councilors Tiffany Koyama Lane and Mitch Green personally offered to connect prospective litigants with the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and the state attorney general’s office.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
Such reactions from a judge are not generally considered a favorable omen for a litigant.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for litigant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litigant
Noun
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In addition, motions in which the prosecution opposed mental health diversions for two defendants contained similar errors, Stuart wrote.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Another former guard charged with murder, Caleb Blair, is scheduled to go on trial May 4, along with a fellow defendant will stand trial for first-degree manslaughter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Crowds were relatively small last month, especially compared to March weekends in the years after the COVID pandemic, when thousands of young people packed Ocean Drive and the party was sullied by shootings, stampedes and curfews.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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It was defeated on a straight party-line vote, and our highly ideological legislature kept the gap between Title IX and Colorado law unresolved.—
Lisa Frizell,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The plaintiffs claim the prices of Fanatics’ two cards have increased by 49% and 31%, while the prices of Panini’s two cards have increased by 24% and decreased by 14%, respectively.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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The court sided with the plaintiff, ruling that the ranching company had no right to create barriers to those roads.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Litigant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litigant. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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