cause of action
noun phrase
: the grounds (such as violation of a right) that entitle a plaintiff to bring a suit
Examples of cause of action in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The judge did not feel that this cause of action against Martinez applied to Ortiz and dismissed her from that portion of the lawsuit.
—
Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
If rejected, the property owner would be able to file a cause of action for the court to determine their eligibility.
—Madeline Armstrong | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Aug. 2024
Additionally, The-Dream’s attorneys are looking to dismiss or strike the rape claim from the plaintiff, arguing rape is not a separate civil cause of action under California law.
—Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2024
For universities, these laws provide a potential cause of action at every turn.
—The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
Foster is suing Ball, MB1 Enterprises and Puma for federal and common law trademark infringement, trademark dilution, unfair business practices, fraud and concealment of facts and conversion (LaVar Ball is also included on the last cause of action).
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
For the breach of contract cause of action against Shakes and the intentional interference with contractual relations action against Kebe, Hart requests $90,000 in compensatory damages and attorney fees each.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2023
The cause of action listed in the suit is gender-motivated violence.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2023
The essence of Adolph’s lawsuit is to permit a specific cause of action to challenge this model.
—David Astoria, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2023
Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
If rejected, the property owner would be able to file a cause of action for the court to determine their eligibility.
—Madeline Armstrong | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Aug. 2024
Additionally, The-Dream’s attorneys are looking to dismiss or strike the rape claim from the plaintiff, arguing rape is not a separate civil cause of action under California law.
—Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2024
For universities, these laws provide a potential cause of action at every turn.
—The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
Foster is suing Ball, MB1 Enterprises and Puma for federal and common law trademark infringement, trademark dilution, unfair business practices, fraud and concealment of facts and conversion (LaVar Ball is also included on the last cause of action).
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
For the breach of contract cause of action against Shakes and the intentional interference with contractual relations action against Kebe, Hart requests $90,000 in compensatory damages and attorney fees each.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2023
The cause of action listed in the suit is gender-motivated violence.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2023
The essence of Adolph’s lawsuit is to permit a specific cause of action to challenge this model.
—David Astoria, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cause of action.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cause of action
Cite this Entry
“Cause of action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cause%20of%20action. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
cause of action
1
: the grounds (as violation of a right) that entitle a plaintiff to bring a suit
an amended pleading reiterating a cause of action for lost profits—J. H. Friedenthal et al.
J. H. Friedenthal et al.
also
: the part of a suit brought on those grounds
removed the cause of action to the district court
2
: right of action sense 1
the court, led by Justice Brennan, said Congress intended to provide a private cause of action—National Law Journal
National Law JournalLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share