special pleading

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noun

Law. pleading that alleges special or new matter in avoidance of the allegations made by the opposite side.

pleading or arguing that ignores unfavorable features of a case.

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Origin of special pleading

First recorded in 1675–85

Words nearby special pleading

Special Olympics, special order, special partner, special partnership, special plea, special pleading, special privilege, special prosecutor, Special Relativity, special rule, special school

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use special pleading in a sentence

As for the federal authorities, they have made themselves available but the clergy have not requested special protection.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
At the same time, campaigns are spending less while the special-interest groups are spending more.
The 100 Rich People Who Run America|Mark McKinnon|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The off-year special election into which Duke threw himself drew little media notice at first.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
All of the big cats have a special mystique, but perhaps none more so than the tiger.
This Tiger Has Some Serious Ups|Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

It all sounds a bit dramatic, but that cactus feels like something special.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art|Alec Kubas-Meyer|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For this use of the voice in the special service of will-power, or propelling force, it is necessary first to test its freedom.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
Diplococci without capsules are common in the sputum, but have no special significance.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Will the new issues promptly retire when their special task is over?
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
I am pleading for a clear white light of education that shall go like the sun round the whole world.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Instead of the expected general amnesty, only a few special pardons were granted.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman

British Dictionary definitions for special pleading

special pleading

noun law

a pleading that alleges new facts that offset those put forward by the other side rather than directly admitting or denying those facts

a pleading that emphasizes the favourable aspects of a case while omitting the unfavourable

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012