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 The pair were granted bail until their next court appearance on July 11, when they may be asked to enter a plea to a less serious charge of assault causing actual bodily harm. Jay Stahl, USA Today, 21 June 2025 Although there have been consistent pleas from people he’s met over the last several months since that City Council meeting to run for public office, Kluwe said he’s been reluctant to become a politician. Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 20 June 2025 Mexico City band Molotov decry state agents who extort the same communities that pay their salaries, and make a plea for power to be returned to the people. Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped three other counts included in the initial indictment in November. Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for plea
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plea
Noun
  • The European Court of Justice’s advocate general recommended—in a non-binding opinion, mind you—that Google’s appeal to its €4 billion fine should be dismissed.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 20 June 2025
  • Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the fragments offer unique insights into Roman artistry and literacy.
    Willem Marx, NPR, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • It’s been tough to shuffle the pitching rotation, and tough to shuttle guys back and forth from Triple-A to make up for injuries, but the Mets aren’t using injuries as an excuse.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025
  • The incident offered Russia an excuse to send in military forces and grab control of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
    Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • While waiting for the jury, Diddy made a prayer gesture with his hands.
    Lauryn Overhultz , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
  • But most importantly, thank you for all of your many prayers.
    Nick Lentz, CBS News, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s predecessors feared that strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, regardless of their tactical success, could give Tehran the political justification to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and openly pursue nuclear arms, driving its program further underground and out of sight.
    Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
  • The country's President Vladimir Putin met with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Moscow on June 23 and said there was no justification for the U.S. attack and called aggression against Iran groundless.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Those filings are among the key elements in the Bar’s emergency petition filed last week.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025
  • Friends of the Everglades, a nonprofit organization focused on preserving the area, started a petition against the proposal.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • In Virginia, Democratic turnout rose even without much of a reason to vote.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 19 June 2025
  • This rise in great white shark sightings off Cape Cod is due to a few reasons.
    Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Authorities are investigating videos that reportedly show one of the two New Orleans jail escapees still at large pleading for help from President Trump, reality star Kim Kardashian and rappers Meek Mill and Lil Wayne, among others.
    Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 3 June 2025
  • If there has been no notice of claim disallowance in a refund case, the qualified offer period begins on the date on which the answer or other responsive pleading is filed with the court.
    Guinevere Moore, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Earlier this month, Sanchez issued an apology after audio was released that seemingly showed PSOE secretary Santos Cerdan discussing improperly awarding public contracts in exchange for commissions, BBC News reported.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
  • On Tuesday, Kove issued an official apology to Hannah-Kim for the assault at the convention.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plea. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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