PoliticsAugust 17, 2026

lawfare

LAW-fair

Definition

The use of legal systems and lawsuits as a strategic weapon to damage, harass, or obstruct political opponents and their agendas.

Etymology

The word is a portmanteau of 'law' and 'warfare,' coined in the late 20th century to describe the strategic application of legal proceedings to achieve military or political objectives.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe how conservative lobbyists characterize environmental lawsuits against oil companies as an aggressive, politically motivated campaign against the fossil fuel industry.

Big Oil Could Face ‘Catastrophic Outcomes’ Without Republican Supreme Court

Read the full article ↗

DeSmog

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