as in to argue
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration
can I plead temporary insanity for having made that foolish decision?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 plead
The third suspect, Brock, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in the case, including murder, and is currently awaiting trial.
—
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 4 June 2025
Read has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
Derek Sanders, 24, the alleged shooter, pleaded guilty in April to murder in the Nov. 17 death of Brandon Cruz, 50, of Lake Station.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
She was charged with — and later pleaded guilty to — making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer and engaging in mail fraud and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for plead
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 4 June 2025
Read has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
Derek Sanders, 24, the alleged shooter, pleaded guilty in April to murder in the Nov. 17 death of Brandon Cruz, 50, of Lake Station.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
She was charged with — and later pleaded guilty to — making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer and engaging in mail fraud and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for plead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plead
Verb
-
Industry watchdogs argue that additional regulation is necessary to mitigate the spread of deepfake misinformation.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
3 June 2025
-
Nicholson argues the clock reset every time she was turned away from the stage.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Critics have long contended that the position amounted to little more than a fig leaf, albeit one that still managed to occupy a few seats at the national policy-making table.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
29 May 2025
-
At worst, Nomura is probably contending for a stint on the practice squad.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
With the lion’s share of sales coming from incumbent legacy players, like Chanel and Dior, Landau reasoned that the category can be prohibitively expensive.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
5 June 2025
-
The court reasoned that educators could not compel students to participate, because forcing children – or anyone – to engage in activities inconsistent with their beliefs is contrary to their First Amendment rights to the free exercise of religion and freedom of speech.—
Charles J. Russo,
The Conversation,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
The Miami Herald reported in January that FAU in Palm Beach County was considered the Trump favorite, with FIU hoping to convince the president’s camp that Miami-Dade County’s global appeal, proximity to the Trump Doral resort and newly red politics made FIU the better pick.—
Douglas Hanks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
Despite all evidence to the contrary, the misogynists are still trying to convince us that this whole meltdown is somehow strong leadership, not a scene resembling a two-on-one date on The Bachelor between two women who aren’t there For the Right Reasons.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
But one of Holmgren’s first acts as a member of the Thunder, after a spectacular performance in his Summer League début, was to insist that a teammate join him for the postgame interview, which traditionally goes to the game’s key player.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
-
Johnson insisted that Musk has bad information, and the speaker disputed the forecasts of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that scores budget legislation.—
Bill Barrow,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
The Biden Department of Education’s fact sheet—which was not a law or a regulation promulgated through agency rule-making—asserted colleges paying athletes for use of their NIL ought to count as athletic financial assistance within the meaning of Title IX.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 June 2025
-
After a shock-and-awe run of asserting executive power — much of it now tied up in the courts — Trump’s full attention is now on the Capitol, where lawmaking is in short supply this year.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plead. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share