Meaning & use
counterclaim
A claim made in response to another claim, especially one made by a defendant against a plaintiff in a lawsuit.
See it in a sentence
The defendant filed a counterclaim, arguing that the plaintiff owed him money as well.
Her counterclaim disputed the company's version of events entirely, point by point.
A note on using this word
Counterclaim is common in legal writing but can also describe any opposing argument made in a debate or negotiation.
Words with a similar meaning
rebuttalcross-claim
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
To make a claim in response to another, opposing claim.
The company counterclaimed that its former employee had breached the confidentiality agreement.
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