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 Singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty in a London court to affray over an altercation at a London nightclub. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray following a confrontation in a London nightclub in 2023. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 July 2026 In 2019, Lemke and Armenta pleaded guilty to three counts of misdemeanor injury to a child, and they were sentenced to 180 days in jail, according to previous Statesman reporting. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026 Brown and Akinlolu both previously pleaded not guilty to those charges, and at a short hearing Friday, the pair pleaded guilty to a charge of affray, while the more serious charges were dropped by the court, the BBC reports. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 24 July 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
  • On the other hand, some argue that Fed officials spoke too frequently about the economy in the past.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • Jon Moxley argued with a conflicted Will Ospreay as Ospreay struggled to find a killer instinct and pull the trigger on his ailing friend.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of argue
Verb
  • The suit also contends that the defendants directed workers to use the elevator despite the hazards and failed to follow OSHA safety standards.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • The full-length could contend for both Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, two prizes the singer-songwriter has claimed before.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of contend
Verb
  • Unlike traditional software, autonomous AI systems can reason through complex problems, adapt when obstacles arise, recover from failures and pursue objectives with minimal human intervention.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Given the cerebellum’s importance to language processing, memory and other cognitive functions, the 2018 study’s authors reasoned that this neuroanatomical difference might have given modern humans the upper hand.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 20 July 2026
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Diomande had previously made PSG his destination of choice — but the European champions had not yet shown a willingness to offer a level of fee that would convince Leipzig to consider a sale this summer.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • Lowe is convinced that mainstream news outlets are ignoring his inquiry because of political correctness.
    — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026
Definition of convince
Verb
  • Antonetti insisted that taking on salary would not be prohibitive.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Ahead of the visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted Tehran was not seeking further mediation with the US.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • Unity Medical Center denied responsibility for the incident, asserting that an internal review yielded no evidence showing hospital personnel were at fault.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
  • In particular, the prosecutors asserted that the government's basis for seeking the subpoenas was sound.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026
Definition of assert

Phrases Containing plead

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Cite this Entry

“Plead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plead. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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