special pleading
Americannoun
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Law. pleading that alleges special or new matter in avoidance of the allegations made by the opposite side.
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pleading or arguing that ignores unfavorable features of a case.
noun
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a pleading that alleges new facts that offset those put forward by the other side rather than directly admitting or denying those facts
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a pleading that emphasizes the favourable aspects of a case while omitting the unfavourable
Etymology
Origin of special pleading
First recorded in 1675–85
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The selection suggests that indigenous art has evolved sufficiently since the 1970s to transcend special pleading.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026
Most were responding at least partially to special pleading by the wealthy, who threatened to relocate to friendlier jurisdictions in a continent-wide low-tax contest.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026
But even the most cynical court-watcher must admit that there is zero chance five justices will accept WILL’s special pleading here.
From Slate • Oct. 19, 2022
The preponderance of Civil War and Robert E. Lee memorabilia in the Richmond time capsule suggests not just items pertinent to a statue of Lee, but at least a little special pleading.
From Washington Post • Mar. 16, 2022
But this last alternative seems to me to be special pleading: I am, reluctantly, a self-confessed carbon chauvinist.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
