The adjective litigious describes a person, society, or environment that is inclined to engage in lawsuits, or is overly concerned with legal actions and disputes. It can also describe things that are likely to cause litigation.
Definition
Litigious (adjective):
- Tending to engage in lawsuits or legal actions.
“He’s so litigious that he’s sued three of his neighbors.” - Overly concerned with legal rights and responsibilities.
“The litigious culture of the industry slows down innovation.” - Related to litigation (legal proceedings).
“A litigious matter that may end up in court.”
Examples in Context
- “In a litigious society, companies must be careful with product claims.”
- “She had a litigious streak and threatened to sue over minor disputes.”
- “The document was drafted to avoid any litigious interpretations.”
Synonyms
- Contentious
- Argumentative
- Quarrelsome (in legal context)
- Legal-minded
Antonyms
- Nonconfrontational
- Agreeable
- Conciliatory
Usage Tip
The term litigious often carries a negative connotation, implying excessive or unnecessary reliance on legal actions to resolve issues that might otherwise be handled amicably.
Conclusion
Being litigious means having a strong tendency to use the legal system to resolve conflicts—sometimes to a fault. It’s a useful word to describe people, businesses, or systems where lawsuits are frequent or anticipated.