pleading 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of pleadingnext
as in prayerful
asking humbly a pleading husband seeking forgiveness once again from his long-suffering wife

Synonyms & Similar Words

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pleading

2 of 3

noun

ˈplē-diŋ How to pronounce pleading (audio)
as in plea
an earnest request coldhearted tourists pointedly ignoring the pleadings of the city's many street urchins

Synonyms & Similar Words

pleading

3 of 3

verb

present participle of plead
as in arguing
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration can I plead temporary insanity for having made that foolish decision?

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pleading
Noun
Mariah Navit posted a TikTok video pleading with travelers to always pack a portable carbon monoxide detector. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 On Monday, prosecutors submitted a six-page pleading to the judge arguing against restricting the accuser's testimony. — John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
Leslie Howard Roberts, 63, was sentenced in Miami federal court this month to three years and 10 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 In March, Angela Ramirez sent an email to the chair of the House Health and Welfare Committee pleading for a hearing for the bill to restore the Family Personal Care Services program. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pleading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleading
  1. prayerful
  2. plea
  3. arguing
  4. begging
  5. appeal
  6. reasoning
  7. prayer
  8. contending
Adjective
  • His prayerful recognition of God’s supremacy and government of the universe refreshed his heart and lifted his thought above the human fears and limitations that plague an illusory, material sense of existence.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Tigua dancers of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo performed a prayerful ceremony traditional before a hunt.
    — Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2026
Definition of prayerful
Noun
  • In August 2023, Bangs offered LaGrone an earlier plea agreement under which he would have been sentenced to 25 years in prison, according to a record in the district clerk’s file.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • An Eagle man charged with animal cruelty in the shooting deaths of two caged cats was ordered to serve a total of 14 days in jail after accepting a plea deal in August, according to court records.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of plea
Verb
  • The Virginia appeals court is being asked to invalidate the amendment, arguing state lawmakers failed to follow proper procedures before putting it before voters.
    — Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Means, along with his sister, came to prominence within the MAHA movement by arguing that ultraprocessed foods, additives and pesticides could be blamed for many of the chronic health conditions facing Americans.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of arguing
Adjective
  • Violators can be punished with fines up to $500 and three months in jail under one anti-begging law and with fines starting at up to $100 and 10 days in jail under a law against soliciting contributions from people in cars.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of begging
Noun
  • Admittedly, the album’s ’90s sound palette has echoes of millennial nostalgia bait—but then again, when has nostalgia not been part of Hemsworth’s appeal?
    — Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The government filed an emergency appeal asking the justices to lift a lower court decision halting construction.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of appeal
Verb
  • Queried by The News, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office declined to comment on prosecutors’ reasoning for downgrading the murder charge beyond what was said in court.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Door offers seven-day retreats, reasoning that that’s the amount of time required to bring you back to you.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of reasoning
Noun
  • Sitake winds up practice with a prayer and insists that the defense and offense shake hands after going at one another all day.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In 1697 the Massachusetts General Court ordered a day of fasting and prayer to repent for the unlawfulness of the trials.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of prayer
Verb
  • But one thing is certain that is not going to be a walkover for any of the contending parties at all in this election.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • He’s thrived under pressure, delivering in tight spots while proving conducive to winning on multiple contending clubs.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of contending

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Pleading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleading. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pleading

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