coun·ter·claim
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌklām 
: an opposing claim
especially
: a claim brought by a defendant against a plaintiff in a legal action
counterclaimed; counterclaiming; counterclaims
: to enter or plead a counterclaim
: to ask in a counterclaim
Examples of counterclaim in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 July 2025
The claims and counterclaims fill hundreds of pages, and the gaps between the billionaires’ accounts are vast.
—Ephrat Livni, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
The court also dismissed Windstream’s counterclaims against Aurelius.
—Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2019
See All Example Sentences for counterclaim
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Noun
Perry Farrell has responded to a lawsuit filed by his Jane’s Addiction bandmates with a counterclaim of his own in a Los Angeles County court.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 July 2025
The claims and counterclaims fill hundreds of pages, and the gaps between the billionaires’ accounts are vast.
—Ephrat Livni, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Verb
And Democrats are still counterclaiming that nearly all the benefits of an extension will go to the rich and to large companies.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
The court also dismissed Windstream’s counterclaims against Aurelius.
—Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2019
See All Example Sentences for counterclaim
Cite this Entry
“Counterclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterclaim. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
verb
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