Synonyms of plead

plead 1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈplēd 

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

• argue
• contend
• reason
• convince
• insist
• assert
• explain
• maintain
• persuade
• justify
• mention
• suggest
• claim
• consider
• cite
• urge
• affirm
• propose
• defend
• advise
• submit
• offer
• adduce
• discuss
• counsel
• give
• enforce
• recommend
• advocate
• avow
• aver
• rebut
• refute
• rationalize
• advance
• disprove
• support
• avouch
• counter
• espouse
• confute
• debate
• champion

plead (for)

2 of 4

verb (2)

as in to seek

to make a request for

the children pleaded for a kitten for Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seek
• request
• call (for)
• speak (for)
• sue (for)
• ask (for)
• wish (for)
• apply (for)
• beg (for)
• desire
• require
• press (for)
• quest
• clamor (for)
• insist (on)
• demand
• urge
• petition (for)
• solicit
• claim
• invite
• invoke
• bespeak
• exact
• importune
• enjoin
• requisition

plead (to)

3 of 4

verb (3)

as in to beg

to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner

weary of charities that are always pleading to people of modest means to contribute even more than they already have

Synonyms & Similar Words

• beg
• petition
• appeal (to)
• call upon
• pray
• call on
• ask
• beseech
• implore
• impetrate
• conjure
• entreat
• require
• besiege
• solicit
• supplicate
• importune
• request
• invoke
• sue
• desire
• compel
• insist
• force
• coerce
• demand
• bludge
• sponge
• cadge
• claim
• mooch
• command

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suggest
• imply
• please
• hint
• intimate
• satisfy
• appease
• gratify
• placate
• oblige
• content
• pacify
• conciliate
• comfort
• console
• quiet
• mollify

pleaded

4 of 4

verb (4)

variants or pled also plead

past tense of plead

as in argued

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

• argued
• maintained
• contended
• asserted
• reasoned
• explained
• justified
• claimed
• insisted
• urged
• mentioned
• convinced
• defended
• cited
• offered
• persuaded
• adduced
• submitted
• affirmed
• proposed
• suggested
• averred
• discussed
• advocated
• advised
• recommended
• considered
• gave
• enforced
• refuted
• counseled
• counselled
• countered
• championed
• avowed
• rationalized
• advanced
• supported
• espoused
• debated
• avouched
• rebutted
• disproved
• confuted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of plead

Verb

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

Verb

He's pleaded not guilty to the state charges. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025

Casimir, who is being held in a federal lock-up, pleaded not guilty to a conspiracy defrauding the United States, export violations and weapons smuggling in February and awaits trial. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025

Phrases Containing plead

• plead (for)
• plead (to)