as in begging
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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Recent Examples of petitioning
Several European nations, including Spain, Italy, and Portugal, are also petitioning the EU to revive a windfall tax system last imposed in 2022 during the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
—
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Some Russians this week risked their freedom by petitioning authorities to lift restrictions.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Hulu and Moss’ camps were recently notified about the TV Academy’s approval decision after petitioning.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The court will also hear arguments from a handful of news outlets petitioning to unseal the warrant that allowed the Sheriff’s Office to seize ballots.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
But Flynn also oozes sniveling self-righteousness while hotly defending and petitioning for childhood innocence (amusing hints emerge that the daughter is a somewhat lazy and dim underachiever).
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Siri is also notable for petitioning the Food and Drug Administration to revoke the polio vaccine.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026
Tennessee Senators have also begun petitioning for the state to suspend its gas tax, like Georgia and other states are doing.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 31 Mar. 2026
Hickenlooper and Bennet skipped the assembly in favor of petitioning onto the ballot.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Some Russians this week risked their freedom by petitioning authorities to lift restrictions.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Hulu and Moss’ camps were recently notified about the TV Academy’s approval decision after petitioning.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The court will also hear arguments from a handful of news outlets petitioning to unseal the warrant that allowed the Sheriff’s Office to seize ballots.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
But Flynn also oozes sniveling self-righteousness while hotly defending and petitioning for childhood innocence (amusing hints emerge that the daughter is a somewhat lazy and dim underachiever).
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Siri is also notable for petitioning the Food and Drug Administration to revoke the polio vaccine.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026
Tennessee Senators have also begun petitioning for the state to suspend its gas tax, like Georgia and other states are doing.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 31 Mar. 2026
Hickenlooper and Bennet skipped the assembly in favor of petitioning onto the ballot.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petitioning
begging
Verb
-
Rollins stormed off the set, leaving Brandt and the rest of his co-hosts stunned, with the latter begging the former to return and finish his segment.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The seafarer who spoke to ABC News described a grim scene currently of ships drifting with little direction, and listening on the ship-to-ship communication systems called the VHF line -- accounts of crews growing desperate for basic provisions, and some begging to go home.—
Desiree Adib,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petitioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petitioning. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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