plea

Definition of pleanext

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 The unauthorized use of a vehicle charge was waived under the plea deal, according to Tarrant County court records. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026 Dozens of other counts were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. ABC News, 23 June 2026 Gledhill has not entered a plea and has not appeared in court in the case. CBS News, 23 June 2026 Gledhill has not entered a plea nor appeared in court. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for plea
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plea
Noun
  • For some at-home converts, knowing exactly what is in their polish, and being able to choose alternatives, is part of the appeal.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
  • First came a federal court settlement requiring 1,200 units to be built (about half are now completed), then a second lawsuit resulted in an order to add 2,500 more, a ruling now under appeal.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • And with the Fourth of July around the corner, there has never been a better excuse to add one to your rotation.
    Minty Mellon, Vogue, 25 June 2026
  • Then turn in the most benign of public records requests — access to a calendar, for example — and prepare for weeks of delays and excuses.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • In a separate Facebook post on Monday, Mason Motocross asked for prayers for the boy's family.
    Michael Guise, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • Eyes closed and head bowed during prayer.
    Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • There's no justification for this.
    J.D. Miles, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • There's no doubt that the media played an inordinate role in allowing COVID-19 mandates and restrictions to start, expand, and continue well beyond any reasonable justification.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • That petition gained over 40,000 signatures, with signers citing concerns about Jackie, Shadow, and their eaglets at the time, Sunny and Gizmo, as well as other wildlife in the San Bernardino Mountains.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • The People's Choice Movement, Men For Positive Change and Men Real Talk handed out flyers and asked people to sign a petition outside of a parking authority office at 8th and Arch streets Wednesday morning.
    Courtney Cherry, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • There are good reasons to do so again, though as contenders acquiring young talent is not a necessity for the Pacers.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026
  • However, Gen Zers also cited reasons for not finding such meaning.
    Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Some – asking politely, saying please and thank you each time – work better than others, such as nagging or pleading.
    Angela J. Narayan, The Conversation, 9 June 2026
  • She has now been transferred to a hospital in Tehran for treatment, her lawyer Mostafa Nili posted on X on Sunday, after days of pleading by her family and others.
    Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Offer a practical window, record the task, and protect your break without apology.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026
  • But Carmy is kind of a George Bailey figure in a way, albeit way hotter (apologies to the great Jimmy Stewart) and more damaged.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plea. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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