plea

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun plea contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plea are alibi, apologia, apology, excuse, and pretext. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

When is alibi a more appropriate choice than plea?

The words alibi and plea can be used in similar contexts, but alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

When can apologia be used instead of plea?

The meanings of apologia and plea largely overlap; however, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position.

his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

When would apology be a good substitute for plea?

While the synonyms apology and plea are close in meaning, apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances.

said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

Where would excuse be a reasonable alternative to plea?

While in some cases nearly identical to plea, excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

When is it sensible to use pretext instead of plea?

In some situations, the words pretext and plea are roughly equivalent. However, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

used any pretext to get out of work

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plea Charlie Sheen is making a public plea to reconnect with his Two and a Half Men costar Jon Cryer. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025 Ashley and Mickey gave their final pleas to the house. David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025 Bera’s plea to Trump Bera had similar concerns. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025 Johnathan Maskiell was deemed a second-degree persistent felony offender as part of his April guilty plea for murder in the killing of his cellmate at the Kenton County Detention Center. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plea
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plea
Noun
  • Strong interest from Brazil’s Palmeiras had a certain appeal — Paraguay team-mates Ramon Sosa and Gustavo Gomez, who captains club and country, are with the Sao Paulo side — but the preference, for Enciso and his camp, was to remain in Europe.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • On Wednesday night, the president asked the Supreme Court to quickly accept and rule on an appeal seeking to overturn the lower court decision.
    Jenni Reid,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Investors don’t need another earnings call filled with excuses about macro headwinds when the rest of the industry is growing.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • To open flat is without excuse, given the setting.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In late June, McNair announced his decision to not seek re-election in 2026, after a few months of prayer, thoughts and conversations.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Congregant Rita Cartwright is convinced the building was otherwise spared from devastation because a prayer group at the church recently returned from hiatus.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The vessel was operating in international waters but that added to the murkiness of the legal justification.
    Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • This document, so often a justification for violence, also contains words of reconciliation, of fortitude and healing.
    Jack Sheehan September 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Evidence showed Wendi’s resentment after a judge denied her 2013 petition to relocate her sons away from Markel in Tallahassee to South Florida to be near her brother and parents.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Dash filed his voluntary petition Thursday and posted about it Friday on Instagram.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Whatever the reason behind the tradition may be, Swift and Mahomes were all smiles in the Dirty 30 photo as the WAGS prepare to head into football season together and cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • For those reasons and more, Rohl’s signing on a season-long loan, with a €20million obligation provided Everton avoid relegation, is intriguing.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Cannon found that counts 2-5, by incorporating the allegations in count 1, violated the federal rule against shotgun pleadings.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Ellis sought damages including medical expenses and lost wages and referenced a $24 million figure in pleadings mentioned during trial, ABC7 Eyewitness News reported.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Following intense backlash from conservatives, the graphic was removed, and the museum issued an apology.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Some parents have gone so far as to make gift bags to pass out to their fellow passengers as a pre-apology for a crying baby—a totally unnecessary gesture that forces stressed-out parents to take responsibility for the emotional reactions of adults who should be able to control themselves.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plea. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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