counterclaim
1 of 2noun
coun·ter·claim ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌklām 
: an opposing claim
especially : a claim brought by a defendant against a plaintiff in a legal action
counterclaim
2 of 2verb
counterclaimed; counterclaiming; counterclaims
intransitive verb
: to enter or plead a counterclaim
transitive verb
: to ask in a counterclaim
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 12 Aug. 2022 The jury awarded Heard $2 million in compensatory damages for her counterclaim. Zack Sharf, Variety, 1 Aug. 2022 The jury awarded Heard $2 million on her counterclaim. CBS News, 21 July 2022 To make his counterclaim, Romney has to focus his attention on two narrower priorities: undocumented immigrants and the economy, particularly the national debt. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 5 July 2022 The jury also awarded Heard $2 million in her counterclaim against Depp, finding that Heard was defamed by one of Depp’s lawyers, who accused her of creating a detailed hoax that included roughing up the couple’s apartment to look worse for police. Denise Lavoie, USA TODAY, 4 July 2022 Lawyers for the council filed a counterclaim, asserting that Stephenson’s lawsuit caused economic damage to the Scout organization and asking for compensatory damages from Stephenson. Tom Condon, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2022 Earlier this month, lawyers for the Buttons filed a counterclaim denying those allegations, but said Humphries was victimized — just not by their clients. David K. Li, NBC News, 21 July 2022 Dear alleged the city and its agents filed the counterclaim in retaliation for Dear seeking the records and exercising his First Amendment right to petition the government. Jack Greiner, The Enquirer, 15 July 2022 Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2019 Perry’s counterclaims, however, are pending in court. J. Scott Trubey, ajc, 10 May 2018 The foundation asked for a dismissal of all claims and counterclaimed for payment of $960,000. Milton Esterow, Vanities, 19 Feb. 2017 The foundation asked for a dismissal of all claims and counterclaimed for payment of $960,000. Milton Esterow, Vanities, 19 Feb. 2017 The foundation asked for a dismissal of all claims and counterclaimed for payment of $960,000. Milton Esterow, vanityfair.com, 5 Jan. 2017 While finding that a number of facts remain in dispute, Bledsoe dismissed Hopkins’ defamation claims and Michael Waltrip Racing’s counterclaims accusing Hopkins of stealing pit crew tools and misappropriating trade secrets about one of the tools. Joe Marusak, charlotteobserver, 1 June 2017 See More
Noun
At the conclusion of the trial, a Virginia jury awarded Depp $15 million in damages and Heard $2 million in her counterclaim. Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 12 Aug. 2022 The jury awarded Heard $2 million in compensatory damages for her counterclaim. Zack Sharf, Variety, 1 Aug. 2022 The jury awarded Heard $2 million on her counterclaim. CBS News, 21 July 2022 To make his counterclaim, Romney has to focus his attention on two narrower priorities: undocumented immigrants and the economy, particularly the national debt. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 5 July 2022 The jury also awarded Heard $2 million in her counterclaim against Depp, finding that Heard was defamed by one of Depp’s lawyers, who accused her of creating a detailed hoax that included roughing up the couple’s apartment to look worse for police. Denise Lavoie, USA TODAY, 4 July 2022 Lawyers for the council filed a counterclaim, asserting that Stephenson’s lawsuit caused economic damage to the Scout organization and asking for compensatory damages from Stephenson. Tom Condon, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2022 Earlier this month, lawyers for the Buttons filed a counterclaim denying those allegations, but said Humphries was victimized — just not by their clients. David K. Li, NBC News, 21 July 2022 Dear alleged the city and its agents filed the counterclaim in retaliation for Dear seeking the records and exercising his First Amendment right to petition the government. Jack Greiner, The Enquirer, 15 July 2022 Verb
The court also dismissed Windstream’s counterclaims against Aurelius. Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2019 Perry’s counterclaims, however, are pending in court. J. Scott Trubey, ajc, 10 May 2018 The foundation asked for a dismissal of all claims and counterclaimed for payment of $960,000. Milton Esterow, Vanities, 19 Feb. 2017 The foundation asked for a dismissal of all claims and counterclaimed for payment of $960,000. Milton Esterow, Vanities, 19 Feb. 2017 The foundation asked for a dismissal of all claims and counterclaimed for payment of $960,000. Milton Esterow, vanityfair.com, 5 Jan. 2017 While finding that a number of facts remain in dispute, Bledsoe dismissed Hopkins’ defamation claims and Michael Waltrip Racing’s counterclaims accusing Hopkins of stealing pit crew tools and misappropriating trade secrets about one of the tools. Joe Marusak, charlotteobserver, 1 June 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1784, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1857, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Legal Definition
counterclaim
noun
coun·ter·claim ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌklām
: a claim for relief that is asserted against an opposing party after an original claim has been made compare affirmative defense at defense, cross-action, cross-appeal, cross-claim, interpleader, third-party claim
counterclaim
noun
as in complaint
a court case brought against the plaintiff of another court case by the defendant The defendant filed a counterclaim for his own injuries, claiming that he only rear-ended the plaintiff because she had stopped too fast. Synonyms & Similar Words
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