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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
  • The union forged ahead earlier this year despite pleas from fellow Democrats to drop the measure.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • On July 23, 2025, Hippler sentenced him to four consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus another 10 years, as part of a plea deal in which Kohberger avoided the death penalty.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of plea
Verb
  • When Albin returned to the question of which country posed the greater threat to American interests, el Sayed again declined to choose between them, arguing that both had demonstrated the capacity to cause harm.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Claims of extensive cooperation Before sentencing, Wandner urged Altman to impose a sentence below the advisory guidelines, arguing that his client’s assistance to investigators had been unusually valuable.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 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
  • Republicans saw all this coming from a mile away, of course, spending huge sums to help Cornyn defeat Paxton in the primary, reasoning that the general election would be a relative layup for Cornyn.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Contrived or not, the models appeared to be reasoning about their own situations— forming plans, weighing consequences, anticipating countermoves.
    — Kevin Roose, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of reasoning
Noun
  • Thank you to Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon and everyone at the BOK Center for lifting me up in prayer that night.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Two Black men are rendered in graphite, eyes closed, mouths open with yearning, disclosing sighs of ecstasy or prayer.
    — Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of prayer
Verb
  • In December 2021, however, the DOL under the Biden administration issued a supplemental statement, contending that most plan fiduciaries were not suited to evaluate alternative investments, given their complexity and high risk.
    — Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • But if Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Spain at Audi Field was any indication, the Americans still have a ways to go before contending for their fifth World Cup title.
    — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of contending

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Cite this Entry

“Pleading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleading. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pleading

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pleading

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