Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

counterclaim

noun

/ˈkaʊntərˌkleɪm/

Definition

A claim made to rebut a previous claim in a legal context.

Examples

The defendant filed a counterclaim against the plaintiff for damages.
His counterclaim argued that he had been wronged just as much as the original plaintiff.
In the lawsuit, the counterclaim provided an alternative view of the events that led to the dispute.

Meaning

In legal proceedings, a counterclaim is a response by a defendant in which they assert their own claim against the plaintiff, effectively turning the tables in the dispute.