The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

litigious

IPA:

Dictionary definition of litigious

Having a tendency to engage in legal disputes or to be involved in lawsuits.
"The litigious individual was not afraid to take legal action to seek justice."

Detailed meaning of litigious

The term comes from the Latin word "litigiosus" which means "fond of lawsuits" or "contentious."

A person who is litigious is likely to initiate or become involved in legal proceedings, often for the purpose of seeking monetary compensation or redress for a perceived wrong or injury. This can be a characteristic of an individual, but also organizations and companies can be litigious. This term can also describe a culture or system where legal disputes and lawsuits are common or encouraged.

Being litigious can be seen as a negative trait, as it can be costly, time-consuming and it can have negative impact on the relationships with others. In some cases, the pursuit of legal action may be seen as an attempt to use the legal system to gain an advantage rather than to seek justice or resolve a dispute in a fair and amicable way.

In short, Litigious refers to a tendency to engage in legal disputes or to be involved in lawsuits, a person who is litigious is likely to initiate or become involved in legal proceedings, often for the purpose of seeking monetary compensation or redress for a perceived wrong or injury, this can be a characteristic of an individual, but also organizations and companies can be litigious, it can be seen as a negative trait, as it can be costly, time-consuming and it can have negative impact on the relationships with others, in some cases, the pursuit of legal action may be seen as an attempt to use the legal system to gain an advantage rather than to seek justice or resolve a dispute in a fair and amicable way.

Example sentences containing litigious

1. He was wary of his litigious neighbor who had a penchant for filing unnecessary lawsuits.
2. The company, known for its litigious nature, constantly tangled itself in legal battles.
3. She was careful not to provoke her litigious ex-husband who never missed an opportunity to take her to court.
4. The litigious atmosphere in the music industry is quite disheartening for many new artists.
5. A litigious environment can stifle creativity and productivity within a business.
6. Despite her generally friendly demeanor, she was surprisingly litigious when it came to protecting her intellectual property.

History and etymology of litigious

The adjective 'litigious' has its etymology rooted in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'litigiosus,' which is formed from 'litigium,' meaning 'dispute' or 'contention.' In Latin, 'litigiosus' described someone who was prone to disputes or engaged in legal contests. 'Litigious' entered the English language in the late Middle Ages and is used to describe individuals or entities that have a tendency to engage in legal disputes or be involved in lawsuits. Its etymology underscores the inclination towards legal conflicts and disputes, as implied by its Latin origins in 'litigiosus,' highlighting a propensity for legal contention and the involvement in legal proceedings.

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Further usage examples of litigious

1. The litigious customer threatened to sue the restaurant over a minor misunderstanding.
2. We live in a litigious society, where people often resort to lawsuits to settle disputes.
3. My litigious aunt is known to seek the counsel of her lawyer at the drop of a hat.
4. Their litigious approach to solving issues created a hostile work environment.
5. As an attorney, he thrived in the litigious nature of his job.
6. A litigious dispute over the inheritance was tearing the family apart.
7. The principal's litigious tendencies were causing distress among the school staff.
8. The litigious climate of the healthcare industry often discourages innovation.
9. After facing a litigious tenant, they decided to sell their rental property.
10. Being in the public eye made her a litigious person, protecting her image at all costs.
11. It was a litigious nightmare, with countless legal hurdles cropping up each day.
12. The litigious character of the divorce proceedings took everyone by surprise.
13. The company's litigious strategy for dealing with competitors drew criticism from all quarters.
14. His litigious attitude towards copyright infringement has been an ongoing issue in the creative community.