PETITION Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

petition 1 of 2

noun

pə-ˈti-shən

Definition of petition

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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The petition includes five Causes of Action, with her attorneys offering lengthy arguments for each of the requests in the 97-page file. — Melody Gutierrez, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Still, the Center for Biological Diversity last week filed an emergency petition with the New Mexico Supreme Court, challenging the state’s approval of well drilling to supply millions of gallons of water for Project Jupiter’s construction. — Will Weissert, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Verb

While the court challenge was pending, Sustanee’s developers separately petitioned Orange County to certify its acres to be fast-tracked under state Senate Bill 686. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 The church petitioned the city in 2023 to remove the landmark status for the school and parking lot. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for petition

Recent Examples of Synonyms for petition

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

The title was the name of a red-haired, green-eyed young fan Parton met signing autographs, and the story of a woman begging a rival to leave her man alone.

— RJ Smith, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Finally, after years of begging from golf fans, the PGA Tour is introducing match play to its postseason beginning in 2028.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of beg

Noun

His screen appeal combines a mix of swagger and self-deprecating, and at times evokes (a taller) Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Can Kushner’s billions of dollars and unlimited access deliver the kind of magnetic appeal that began with the Showtime Lakers in 1979?

— Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 26 Aug. 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Petition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petition. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of petition

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on petition

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes