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
Larionov urged others to join by petitioning the court via email, and the number of plaintiffs swelled to 105.
—
ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
About six months ago, my friend Gerry Goldberg and I co-founded the Andie’s Light campaign, petitioning the city councils of Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village for a traffic light at Belleview Avenue and Franklin Street.
—Jerry Presley, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Twenty-two European ministers are petitioning the organizers of the Venice Biennale to disinvite Russia from the prestigious event’s upcoming sixty-first edition, to open March 9.
—News Desk, Artforum, 12 Mar. 2026
Numerous speakers echoed Ferguson’s concern, accusing some on the commission of privately petitioning the state government to bypass the residents who wanted a direct say in honorary namings.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
In addition to petitioning to be represented by a special assistant attorney general, DiZoglio also sought more time to file in opposition to Campbell’s motion to strike.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
That led to Jaicomo petitioning the Supreme Court to hear the case.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 3 Mar. 2026
Chandee is petitioning for his release in federal court.
—Huo Jingnan, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026
Additionally, Mecklenburg County is rich with top leaders within the healthcare industry so moving to strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers is critical in addition to petitioning the county to expand mental health services inside the jail.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
About six months ago, my friend Gerry Goldberg and I co-founded the Andie’s Light campaign, petitioning the city councils of Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village for a traffic light at Belleview Avenue and Franklin Street.
—Jerry Presley, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Twenty-two European ministers are petitioning the organizers of the Venice Biennale to disinvite Russia from the prestigious event’s upcoming sixty-first edition, to open March 9.
—News Desk, Artforum, 12 Mar. 2026
Numerous speakers echoed Ferguson’s concern, accusing some on the commission of privately petitioning the state government to bypass the residents who wanted a direct say in honorary namings.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
In addition to petitioning to be represented by a special assistant attorney general, DiZoglio also sought more time to file in opposition to Campbell’s motion to strike.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
That led to Jaicomo petitioning the Supreme Court to hear the case.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 3 Mar. 2026
Chandee is petitioning for his release in federal court.
—Huo Jingnan, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026
Additionally, Mecklenburg County is rich with top leaders within the healthcare industry so moving to strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers is critical in addition to petitioning the county to expand mental health services inside the jail.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petitioning
begging
Verb
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These questions linger as Ion goes about his day, looking for work, begging for change, and scarfing down a meal—moments that flash by in quick, propulsive blips.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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The officer was able to keep distance between himself and Jones, while Jones’ sister could be heard screaming and begging police not to shoot him, according to the footage.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petitioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petitioning. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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