petition

A written request asking an authority to do or change something, often signed by many people.

• Please sign our petition.
• The council received a petition asking for a safer crossing.
• Thousands of people supported the petition.

How to use it: a petition for something (They submitted a petition for better bus services.); a petition to do something (We signed a petition to save the library.)

Similar words: formal request

Common phrases: sign a petition, submit a petition, petition for something, circulate a petition

A serious, respectful request for help, often made in prayer or to someone powerful.

• Their petition asked for mercy.
• She ended her prayer with a petition for peace.
• The ruler listened to the poor man’s humble petition.

How to use it: a petition for something (The king heard their petition for mercy.)

Similar words: plea, supplication, prayer

Common phrases: a humble petition, petition for mercy, petition to god

To formally ask an authority to do something, usually in writing.

• We petitioned for better roads.
• Parents are petitioning the school to change its rules.
• The group petitioned the court for permission to appeal.

How to use it: petition someone for something (The residents petitioned the council for a new crossing.); petition someone to do something (We petitioned the mayor to reopen the pool.); petition for something (The workers petitioned for shorter hours.)

Similar words: appeal, request

Common phrases: petition the government, petition for something, petition against something