special pleading
noun
1
: the allegation of special or new matter to offset the effect of matter pleaded by the opposite side and admitted, as distinguished from a direct denial of the matter pleaded
2
: misleading argument that presents one point or phase as if it covered the entire question at issue
Examples of special pleading in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Otherwise, these tools of economic statecraft are likely to be applied on an ad hoc basis and in response to special pleading.
—
Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 3 Oct. 2024
Who would that be, and how would they be insulated from special pleading by powerful people?
—Ezekiel J. Emanuel, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2024
This column seems like a shallow exercise in special pleading.
—Yuval Levin, National Review, 6 Nov. 2023
British director Steve McQueen, working from a screenplay by John Ridley, has no intention of making audiences the slightest bit comfortable with this terrible story, no interest in putting in any special pleading to bend our hearts.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2023
The movie weaves a precarious case of special pleading for its main character while reassuring us that the dead kid really didn’t have much of a personality to begin with—until, miraculously, minutes from the end, we’re graced with the revelation that Connor, too, was a real human being.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Sep. 2021
At the time, Applegate, an actress with an aversion to special pleading, didn’t make excuses.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2022
Barnes captures the language of adoration with exquisite poise, the devoted student’s endless cycle of qualifications and special pleading.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2022
The connections can be stretched only so far, however, and when the industry is sued, a common occurrence, its special pleading doesn’t play as well in courtrooms, where facts, reason, and fairness are all that matter.
—Matthew Scully, National Review, 11 July 2022
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Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 3 Oct. 2024
Who would that be, and how would they be insulated from special pleading by powerful people?
—Ezekiel J. Emanuel, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2024
This column seems like a shallow exercise in special pleading.
—Yuval Levin, National Review, 6 Nov. 2023
British director Steve McQueen, working from a screenplay by John Ridley, has no intention of making audiences the slightest bit comfortable with this terrible story, no interest in putting in any special pleading to bend our hearts.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2023
The movie weaves a precarious case of special pleading for its main character while reassuring us that the dead kid really didn’t have much of a personality to begin with—until, miraculously, minutes from the end, we’re graced with the revelation that Connor, too, was a real human being.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Sep. 2021
At the time, Applegate, an actress with an aversion to special pleading, didn’t make excuses.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2022
Barnes captures the language of adoration with exquisite poise, the devoted student’s endless cycle of qualifications and special pleading.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2022
The connections can be stretched only so far, however, and when the industry is sued, a common occurrence, its special pleading doesn’t play as well in courtrooms, where facts, reason, and fairness are all that matter.
—Matthew Scully, National Review, 11 July 2022
Dictionary Entries Near special pleading
Cite this Entry
“Special pleading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20pleading. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
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