NYT Dictionary

LITIGATE

/ˈlɪtɪɡeɪt/

VerbLIT-i-gatelit-i-gate · 3 syllablesGrade 9

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2023, 2025

Meaning

To go to law; to carry on a lawsuit.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

First attested in 1606; borrowed from Latin lītigātus, perfect passive participle of lītigō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from līs (“a lawsuit”, oblique stem in līt-) + -igō (denominative verb-forming suffix).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

actionsueprocesslawimpleadprosecute

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

2025-12-10GYATIEL
2023-01-18IYATLGE