Appearing for is a common phrase used to denote the act of representing oneself in a legal proceeding. However, there are several other phrases and synonyms that can be used interchangeably with appearing for. Some of these include presenting oneself, standing for, acting for, representing, defending, and appearing on behalf of. Each of these phrases conveys the same idea of representing oneself in a legal or official capacity. It's important to choose the right synonym or phrase depending on the context of the situation. Ultimately, the goal is to accurately and clearly convey the nature of representing oneself in a legal or official capacity.