variants
or pled
also 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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pleaded
In assessing a life prison term for DeAujalae Evans, the jury selected the most severe penalty for intoxication manslaughter causing the death of a peace officer, the offense to which Evan pleaded guilty as the jury began to hear evidence in the case of the death of Sgt.
—
Emerson Clarridge
updated March 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Woods pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court in October 2025 to one count of fraud in connection with a major disaster or emergency benefits.
—City News Service, Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies any wrongdoing.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 30 Mar. 2026
On Monday, David Contreras, 53, pleaded guilty to killing his son, Eric, a 23-year-old construction management student at Florida International University.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
McCray pleaded guilty to killing her in 2023 and was sentenced to a 40-year prison term.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Roybal‑Smith took a deal and pleaded guilty to two charges of second-degree murder in the Aurora stabbings, which dropped two counts of first-degree murder, according to Adams County court records.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The student had pleaded no contest to assault with intent to do great bodily harm, according to the prosecutor's office.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Timberlake was arrested June 18, 2024, on Long Island and pleaded guilty to driving while impaired.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Emerson Clarridge
updated March 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Woods pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court in October 2025 to one count of fraud in connection with a major disaster or emergency benefits.
—City News Service, Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies any wrongdoing.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 30 Mar. 2026
On Monday, David Contreras, 53, pleaded guilty to killing his son, Eric, a 23-year-old construction management student at Florida International University.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
McCray pleaded guilty to killing her in 2023 and was sentenced to a 40-year prison term.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Roybal‑Smith took a deal and pleaded guilty to two charges of second-degree murder in the Aurora stabbings, which dropped two counts of first-degree murder, according to Adams County court records.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The student had pleaded no contest to assault with intent to do great bodily harm, according to the prosecutor's office.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Timberlake was arrested June 18, 2024, on Long Island and pleaded guilty to driving while impaired.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleaded
Verb
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Their growing footprint highlights shifting perceptions of Chinese goods in Western markets, Business of Fashion argued, from having once been seen as lower quality.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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Gosnell did not testify at his 2013 trial, but his defense attorney argued that none of the fetuses were born alive and that any movements were posthumous twitching or spasms, according to the AP.—
Greg Norman-Diamond,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The people on whom the planter depended to make his plantation run, Amador probably reasoned, were the same people who were best qualified and most motivated to annihilate it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
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To that point, Judge DeMarchi reasoned that some of the statements Taylor contends are defamatory were statements of opinion.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Estancia, Los Amigos and University contended for postseason berths.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
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The company’s legal defense contended that the claims in the lawsuit lack merit and pledged to vigorously defend against them in court.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Etebari’s grandfather would have insisted on putting a cloth on the floor and having everyone sit cross-legged to eat, as is the custom in Iran.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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When the law that governs CARE Court was being written, many advocacy groups insisted that coercion is ineffective and that modern mental health care favors treating people in the least restrictive settings possible.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleaded. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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