litigate

This term describes the formal process of pursuing a legal remedy through the court system. It carries a heavy, professional connotation, typically associated with high-stakes corporate or civil disputes rather than casual disagreements. The word implies a structured, adversarial environment where a judge or jury provides the final resolution.

In practice, the word is often contrasted with "settling," which refers to reaching a private agreement to avoid the costs and risks of a trial. While "sue" is a more common term for initiating a lawsuit, "litigate" encompasses the entire duration of the legal battle, including the pretrial motions and the trial itself.