sue
0 antonyms and opposites of sue, grouped by meaning.
Verb — To take legal action against someone, typically in a civil (non-criminal) case.
How to use sue
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English sewen, from Old French sivre, "to follow," from Vulgar Latin sequere, "to follow" — the same root that gives us sequence and suit.
Full origin of sue →Frequently asked questions
What does “sue” mean?
The word “sue” means to take legal action against someone, typically in a civil (non-criminal) case. In plain terms, to take someone to court, usually for money or damages.
How do you pronounce “sue”?
“Sue” is pronounced syoo (/sjuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “sue” in a sentence?
Here is “sue” used in a sentence: “The tenant threatened to sue the landlord over unsafe wiring.”
What part of speech is “sue”?
“Sue” is a verb.
Where does the word “sue” come from?
The word “sue” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Middle English sewen, from Old French sivre, "to follow," from Vulgar Latin sequere, "to follow" — the same root that gives us sequence and suit.
Is “sue” a common word?
“Sue” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'sue' and 'prosecute'?
To sue means to take legal action against someone in a civil case, usually to claim money or force a remedy for harm. To prosecute means to bring criminal charges against someone on behalf of the state, so 'sue' belongs to civil law while 'prosecute' belongs to criminal law.
What preposition goes with 'sue'?
'Sue' is commonly followed by 'for' to state what is being claimed, as in 'sue for damages' or 'sue for breach of contract'. It also pairs with 'over' to name the issue, as in 'sue over a faulty product'.
Can you sue and press criminal charges at the same time?
Suing refers only to civil legal action, typically seeking compensation. A single event can sometimes lead to both a civil lawsuit and a separate criminal case, but the act of suing itself is always the civil, non-criminal path.