please

verb

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\ ˈplēz

pleased; pleasing

Definition of please

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to afford or give pleasure or satisfaction

2 : like, wish do as you please

3 archaic : to have the kindness will you please to enter the carriage— Charles Dickens

transitive verb

1 : to give pleasure to : gratify

2 : to be the will or pleasure of may it please Your Majesty

please

adverb

Definition of please (Entry 2 of 2)

1 —used as a function word to express politeness or emphasis in a request please come in

2 —used as a function word to express polite affirmation like some tea? Please

3 —used as a function word to express scornful disagreement, disapproval, or disbelief you believe that? Oh, please

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About please

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Synonyms & Antonyms for please

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

displease

Examples of please in a Sentence

Verb He joined the football team to please his father. Her parents were pleased by her decision. It pleases me to know that you liked the gift. They're very hard to please.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb My innate desire to please others was silenced by the thrill of unleashing demonic servants to slay them. — Jamie Valentino, Wired, 22 June 2021 Fans’ laser focus on stars and stars’ tendency to please can even lead fans to disturbing levels of entitlement. — Kristin J. Lieb, The Conversation, 17 June 2021 Federal judges, with life tenure, don’t have a campaign on the horizon or a constituency to please. — David B. Rivkin Jr. And Andrew M. Grossman, WSJ, 29 Apr. 2021 Republicans said Monday the Democrats have gone too far in an effort to please the liberal base by eliminating the use of mother, father, and other familial and gender-identifying terms. — Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner, 4 Jan. 2021 There have been times since when days were especially special, when the sun was bright, the breeze fresh, and the dogs and the birds motivated by a general desire to please. — Field & Stream, 31 Dec. 2020 Devin has a strong desire to please those around him and strives for perfection. — oregonlive, 29 Nov. 2020 Brian Katulis, a senior fellow for national security at the Center for American Progress, argued that Trump was acting opportunistically, trying to exploit the chance to please his base on his way out the door. — Jacob Silverman, The New Republic, 19 Nov. 2020 Some executives predict that Biden would announce moves to please supporters on the left, such as halting drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or shutting down the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. — Bloomberg Wire, Dallas News, 6 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'please.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.