OpenSynonym

garnishee

/ˌɡɑːrnɪˈʃiː/

NOUN

1. A person whose money or assets are garnished

A third party, such as a bank or employer, that holds money or property belonging to a debtor and is legally required to surrender or withhold it under a court order to satisfy a debt.

1.1. Third party holding a debtor's assets

Refers to a person, employer, bank, or other entity that possesses money or property belonging to a debtor and is subject to a legal garnishment order.

Synonyms

  • third-party debtor
  • stakeholder

Examples

  • The bank acted as the garnishee after receiving the court order.
  • The employer, as garnishee, was required to withhold part of the employee's wages.

Related Words

  • debtor
  • creditor
  • garnishment
  • garnishee order
  • court order
  • wage attachment
  • bank account
  • debt collection

VERB

2. To seize or withhold money by legal order

To attach, seize, or set aside money or other assets under a court order, particularly to satisfy an outstanding debt or financial judgment.

2.1. Legally attaching or seizing money

Describes the legal action of taking control of money or property belonging to a debtor through a court-authorized garnishment process.

Synonyms

  • attach
  • seize
  • confiscate
  • appropriate
  • commandeer
  • expropriate
  • sequester

Antonyms

Examples

  • The creditor sought to garnishee the debtor's wages to satisfy the outstanding debt.
  • The court ordered the bank to garnishee the funds in the account to cover the unpaid bills.
  • The landlord sought to garnishee the tenant's security deposit for damages to the property.
  • The court allowed the plaintiff to garnishee the defendant's assets.

Related Words