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 As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors are recommending that Hern serve 15 months in prison. Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025 After entering his not guilty plea, Lopez said the girl’s injuries were from a fall off the bed, KEYT reported. Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025 In an emotional plea, the First Aid & Safety Patrol asked the community for donations to support the EMT and her family. Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025 Last week Sleepy Hallow was sentenced by the same judge, Justice Danny Chun, to one year in jail following his guilty plea to a fourth-degree conspiracy charge. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plea
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plea
Noun
  • For a generation living in great uncertainty—from the GFC to COVID to cost-of-living pressures—Trump’s disruptive appeal offers both a protest and a sense of control.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • So while the shutdown is set to disrupt a wide range of federal programs, the SSA will continue holding appointments for benefit applications, considering appeals requests, and issuing original and replacement Social Security cards, among other services.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Though still watchable well into middle age, DiCaprio is no longer, on his own, an excuse to visit the cinema.
    Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
  • This franchise, this regime, these coaches, these players have officially run out of excuses, and our patience.
    Omar Kelly October 3, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, is a holiday when Jews engage in fasting, prayer and reflection, beginning at sundown Wednesday.
    Alex Leff, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Religiousness was measured by responses to questions about the importance of religion, religious attendance, frequency of prayer and belief in God.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The removal of Hill isn’t justification for a do-over, or a reason for this season being sideswiped because Hill was on the field when these Dolphins dug themselves an 0-3 hole to start the season.
    Omar Kelly October 3, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
  • During Friday's hearing, prosecutors pointed to Combs' violent behavior as a justification for a longer sentence.
    Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While the Dartmouth players withdrew their unionization petition after the 2024 presidential election, their success could inspire similar efforts at other schools.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The Nevada Supreme Court unanimously denied the NFL's petition to rehear a recent decision regarding Jon Gruden.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Voters also tend to lean more nationalist and conservative during economic downturns, said Hajime Kidera, a professor at Meiji University’s School of Political Science and Economics – which is one reason Abe was so popular during the post-recession early 2010s.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The executive branch does not normally use the shutdown as a reason for layoffs.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The following facts are derived from the pleadings.
    Matthew L. Roberts, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • His interest in deescalation seemed earnest and pleading.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As part of a plea agreement, prosecution was deferred on an additional charge for menacing so long as White commits no new violations over the next two years and satisfies a number of conditions, including issuing a public apology to the victim, Adam Weatherford.
    Josh Wood, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Qatar received an apology from Israel’s prime minister on Monday, along with a joint US-Israeli security guarantee that it would not be attacked again.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plea. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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