The term "frivolous lawsuit" refers to a legal action that is considered to be without merit, groundless or baseless. It implies that the plaintiff has filed a case with no reasonable expectation of success and often for purposes of harassment, extortion or simply wasting the defendant's time and resources. These types of lawsuits are typically dismissed by courts and can result in penalties against the plaintiff if it is determined that they brought the suit maliciously or without proper grounds.