plead

verb

ˈplēd How to pronounce plead (audio)
Definition of pleadnext
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

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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 Sean Payton pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter in February and was since released. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Scott pleaded guilty to one count in April 2025 and was sentenced in August to 70 months. — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026 Vetter served time in prison after pleading guilty to felony possession of marijuana with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver, officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026 The federal public defender's office assigned to his case didn't immediately reply to a message asking how Ross plans to plead. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plead
  1. argue
  2. contend
  3. reason
  4. convince
  5. insist
  6. assert
Verb
  • One controversial second of game clock later, Michigan fans were swarming the field to celebrate a Hail Mary that many impartial observers argued shouldn’t have happened.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Gates argued that government and civil society need to move much more quickly.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of argue
Verb
  • The disclosure contends that, because of the new procedures, a single scanning error in a batch of tens of thousands of ballot envelopes could prevent any from reaching voters.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Defense attorneys contend that because only a single bullet was fired — and struck its target — the crowd was not at risk.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of contend
Verb
  • An organization that can't see what its own people know can't reason from it or build on it, and ends up making the same mistakes in three places at once.
    — Panos Siozos, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • China is betting big on humanoid robots, which the nation’s technology leaders see as key agents in the race to artificial general intelligence (AGI) – an AI system with human-level ability to reason and act.
    — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of reason
Verb
  • On the right side, Brennan Johnson’s best Iliman Ndiaye impression failed to convince.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • There are likely many of you reading this who will never ever be convinced and see AI as anathema to creativity.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of convince
Verb
  • His comments forced Downing Street to insist that Britain would not yield sovereignty over the Falklands.
    — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Yet Na also insists on treating his aliens as objects of contemplation and pathos—reflections of our own misshapen humanity.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • The item asserted that some Medicare and Medicaid cancer patients wait longer for treatment than those with private insurance.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The report asserts flatly that Zucker wasn’t truthful and danced around the same accusation regarding Ballmer.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of assert

Phrases Containing plead

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pleaching
plead
pleaded
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Cite this Entry

“Plead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plead. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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