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
Moaning, sobbing, pleading, the woman grasps the hand of her daughter, Ema (Mercedes Morán). — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026 After pleading guilty, Ashford was sentenced to 15 years in prison but served only nine months and five years' probation upon release, authorities said. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 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
  • Ramanan entered a plea agreement last year and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2026
  • York had a cellphone returned to him, but the $160 that police confiscated from him was given to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of the plea agreement.
    — Erick Mendoza, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of plea
Verb
  • Savan Pourharton wants to sell beer from the GG Mart on Farmington Avenue at Wannowmassa Lane, arguing that the convenience store part of his business could qualify as a grocery store.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Sonia Sotomayor dissented, arguing that allowing the case to move forward prevents the lower court from considering Pike’s allegations from her childhood.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 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
  • Stories about the British Royal Family have enduring international appeal.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Just suffice it to say that both of their projects have broad cross-generational appeal, although Dean’s timeless grooves might be more squarely in the pocket for older voters, whereas Rodrigo has a dad-rock factor going for her.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of appeal
Verb
  • Lourdes Bishop Jean-Marc Micas in 2025 decided to cover the facade of the Notre Dame du Rosaire Basilica, reasoning that abuse victims who come to Lourdes for healing shouldn’t be forced to see them.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Lourdes Bishop Jean-Marc Micas in 2025 decided cover the façade of the Notre Dame du Rosaire Basilica, reasoning that abuse victims who come to Lourdes for healing shouldn’t be forced to see them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of reasoning
Noun
  • Some cardinals would stop — more often for the prayer requests than the questions — but others would keep walking.
    — Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The pilgrims were going to a prayer site in Nakuru County, west of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, said Martin Kivuva, archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of prayer
Verb
  • The win brings Houston to 1-1 in conference play and keeps their hopes of contending in the Big 12 alive.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Cruise is absolutely not at the top of the pack, as other stars who have yet to win an Oscar for their acting, like John Malkovich, Matt Damon, and Ryan Gosling, are in contending films that have broader appeal.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of contending

Browse Nearby Words

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pleading
pleading (for)
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Cite this Entry

“Pleading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleading. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pleading

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pleading

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