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
as in to seek
to make a request for
the children pleaded for a kitten for Christmas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prayerful
asking humbly
a pleading husband seeking forgiveness once again from his long-suffering wife
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in plea
an earnest request
coldhearted tourists pointedly ignoring the pleadings of the city's many street urchins
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in arguing
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of plead
Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2025
Phong Tran has been accused of paying off and coercing witnesses, jeopardizing numerous murder cases, but Tran has not been convicted or pled guilty to any crime.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 10 July 2025
Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025
Despite Abe’s pleadings, Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a key part of Tokyo’s plan to contain China.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
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
Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
Burnett, then 21, of Hammond got ten years in prison in October after pleading guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 3 felony.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plead
Verb
The time before that was in 2010, after defendant Silas Parks agreed to plead guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter for strangling his pregnant wife to death and setting the couple’s Moscow apartment on fire in June 2009.
—Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2025
Phong Tran has been accused of paying off and coercing witnesses, jeopardizing numerous murder cases, but Tran has not been convicted or pled guilty to any crime.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 10 July 2025
Noun
An ex parte pleading means the filings went directly to the judge, without notifying the other parties in the case.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025
Despite Abe’s pleadings, Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a key part of Tokyo’s plan to contain China.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 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
Verb
On July 22, 2021, he was convicted of robbery after pleading in mental health court and released pending sentencing.
—Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
Burnett, then 21, of Hammond got ten years in prison in October after pleading guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 3 felony.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plead
Adjective
-
After prayerful reflection and discussion, our team, alongside our Board of Directors, has made the decision to move in a different direction from the band for this year’s festival.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
24 June 2025
-
The conclave is initiated following the death or resignation of a pope and is designed to ensure a prayerful and deliberate decision.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
He was sentenced to one year of probation on the misdemeanor charge as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, who agreed to drop more serious charges of harassment and misuse of public monies.—
Robert Anglen,
AZCentral.com,
7 July 2025
-
In early May 2013, Rachel turned herself in as part of a pre-arranged plea deal.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
Many Saudis are staying local as costs rise — real estate, education, and transport prices are all up, with rents seeing the sharpest jump at nearly 10% year-on-year — not because Egypt’s coast lost its appeal.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
30 June 2025
-
At the time of the appeal's filing in December 2024, JD Vance was already serving as vice president-elect.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Our hearts and prayers go out to our friends and all those affected in Texas!—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
Monday’s filing was the product of a lawsuit filed in Texas in September 2024 on behalf of the National Religious Broadcasters, an international association of evangelical Christian communicators, as well as Intercessors for America, a conservative Christian prayer advocacy group.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Over 17,000 people also signed a petition set up to campaign for her removal from Love Island season 7.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
7 July 2025
-
Now more than 200 people have signed a petition seeking reinstatement of the class, Matson Tanner said, adding that the community did this entirely on its own.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plead. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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