plea

plea

noun

Definition of PLEA

1

an earnest request <the captive made an impassioned plea for his life to be spared>

Synonyms adjuration, appeal, conjuration, cry, desire, entreaty, petition, pleading, prayer, solicitation, suit, suppliance, supplication

Related Words application, requisition; call, claim, demand, insistence

2

an explanation that frees one from fault or blame <my only plea is that I've been overworked lately>

Synonyms alibi, apology, defense, justification, plea, reason

Related Words color, guise, pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationale, rationalization, vindication, whitewash; cop-out, out; acknowledgment (or acknowledgement), atonement, confession; extenuation, palliation