petition 1 of 2

noun

pə-ˈti-shən How to pronounce petition (audio)
Definition of petitionnext
as in plea
an earnest request a flurry of petitions from eating and drinking establishments to be exempt from the new antismoking regulations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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petition

2 of 2

verb

as in to beg
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner petitioned the judge to be excused from jury duty for financial hardship

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 petition
Noun
An online petition has over 1,800 signatures with residents hoping the new owners will work save some of the site. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026 In 1976, after signing a petition in support of Wilfried Linke, a fellow student expelled from the college for criticizing the dogmatic ideological orientation of Marxist-Leninist instruction, she herself was expelled. — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
After serving their prison sentences, SVPs undergo treatment at state hospitals but may also petition courts to continue treatment in outpatient locations. — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 California’s Proposition 47 reduced certain drug convictions from felonies to misdemeanors and allowed inmates and formerly incarcerated people to petition the court for resentencing. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for petition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petition
  1. plea
  2. beg
  3. appeal
  4. prayer
Noun
  • Even though Vaughn's initial plea was not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, and a mental status exam was ordered, no pretrial tests were done.
    — Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For good measure, Pabst’s social media updates took a tongue-in-cheek approach that may have actually convinced people the posts were more playful than actual pleas for help.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of plea
Verb
  • Gianni Infantino went from immovable king of football to touring the world, begging people for support.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But this begs the parallel question of what the current museum architecture arises from and reflects, and why the oceanic and the oligarchic logics of the museum’s reformation now travel together here.
    — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of beg
Noun
  • Now, in the midst of a subdued market, investors are being more selective, and the new playbook for funding fashion has a lot to do with the quality of that growth, the depth of connection with customers and the founder’s individual appeal.
    — Tara Donaldson, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Lucas chose to accept his execution and waive further appeals after DeSantis signed his death warrant in July.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of appeal
Noun
  • Its rise also marks the beginning of the Hindu celebration of Pitru Paksha, during which worshippers perform rites to honor ancestors by offering prayers and food to past members of their families.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Until its revival as an everyday, spoken language in the modern state of Israel, it was mostly reserved for prayers and religious writings.
    — Ilan Stavans, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of prayer

Browse Nearby Words

petiteness
petition
petitioned
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Cite this Entry

“Petition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petition. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on petition

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about petition

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