adjective
litigious
li-TIJ-us/lɪˈtɪdʒəs/
Inclined toward or marked by lawsuits.
The litigious woman repeatedly brings minor property disputes before a judge.
Etymology
The roots express the idea of “driving a lawsuit”—actively carrying a dispute forward. The adjective developed from being quarrelsome or fond of disputes to being especially inclined to pursue them in court.
In context
Some of his parishioners absolutely hate him. They've been in court cases with him. They feel he's a very litigious, a very problematic minister.
More examples
- The company became notorious for its litigious approach to criticism.
- Their litigious neighbor sued over the fence twice.
- An increasingly litigious dispute consumed the association's budget.
Forms
litigious · more litigious · most litigious
litigation noun — the process of bringing a dispute to court
Similar words
- argumentative
- Argumentative suggests frequent verbal disputes; litigious specifically concerns lawsuits.
- contentious
- Contentious suggests disagreement or controversy without necessarily involving courts.