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
Hickenlooper and Bennet skipped the assembly in favor of petitioning onto the ballot.
—
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
The family is petitioning Israeli courts to get it back.
—ABC News, 25 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
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
The family is petitioning Israeli courts to get it back.
—ABC News, 25 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
-
Rebounding has also been a consistent problem for UConn, and the Huskies’ assistant coaches spent time in nearly every huddle during the Final Four matchup begging the team to commit to boxing out and fighting for boards.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Some fans are crying their eyes violet over their disappointment, while others are begging critics to get a grip.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petitioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petitioning. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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