Synonyms for

Pleading

Verb / ˈpli:dɪŋ / Another word for pleading — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

The act of making an emotional or earnest appeal to someone.

Synonyms & similar words

plead imploring imperative beseeching begging imploring entreating beseeching supplicating appealing petitioning requesting importuning soliciting pleadingly earnestly urgently desperately emotional heartfelt passionate impassioned sincere earnest

Synonyms by register

Formal

imploring supplicating entreating beseeching

Informal

begging hounding nagging pestering

Literary

conjuring imploringly supplicatingly

Antonyms

commanding ordering demanding dictating authorizing insisting

Common collocations

  • pleading for mercy
  • pleading guilty
  • pleading the fifth
  • pleading eyes
  • pleading tone
  • pleading case
  • pleading for help

Word family

noun plea
verb plead
adjective pleading

Usage note

As a verb, 'plead' can mean to make an emotional appeal or to state one's case in court. 'Pleading' as an adjective describes someone or something making such an appeal.

Example sentences

  1. She was pleading with her parents to let her go to the party.
  2. The lawyer's pleading convinced the judge to reduce the sentence.
  3. His pleading tone made her feel guilty.
  4. The child's pleading eyes begged for a second piece of cake.
  5. She made a desperate pleading for help.

Quotes

  • "Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future." - Robert H. Schuller
  • "I make no apologies for how I chose to repair what you broke." - Meredith Grey
  • "In order for your life to be great, you must first learn to appreciate it." - Jordan Peterson

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