plead 1 of 7

plead (for)

2 of 7

verb (2)

plead (to)

3 of 7

verb (3)

pleading

4 of 7

adjective

as in prayerful
asking humbly a pleading husband seeking forgiveness once again from his long-suffering wife

Synonyms & Similar Words

pleading

5 of 7

noun

as in plea
an earnest request coldhearted tourists pointedly ignoring the pleadings of the city's many street urchins

Synonyms & Similar Words

pleaded

6 of 7

verb (4)

variants or pled also plead
past tense of plead

pleading

7 of 7

verb (5)

present participle of plead

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
Verb
Epstein was initially sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in 2008 after pleading guilty to state charges—one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from someone under the age of 18. Callum Sutherland, Time, 23 Sep. 2025 During the two-week trial, Lee pled not guilty to two counts of murder, per BBC News. Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Despite his pleading for her forgiveness, Marian seemed unwilling to give Larry another chance—that is, until Jack corroborated Larry's story. Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025 Roberson currently has a pleading pending for the state’s Court of Criminal Appeals. Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
Verb
Contra Costa County Court records show that later that year Luchin pleaded guilty to robbery charges and was sentenced to a year in jail, followed by probation. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025 The council steered city staff toward using conditional permits that would give members of the public more opportunities to weigh in when a lounge is proposed — and allow cannabis business owners to plead their cases. Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Graham, 62, faced up to 20 years in prison at his sentencing after pleading guilty in May to one count of wire fraud in Miami federal court. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025 Parading a sign pleading for a job isn’t the only way young professionals are getting crafty to land a job. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plead
Adjective
  • The Sagrada Família was founded as an expiatory church, meaning that it would be financed by prayerful donations from people atoning for their sins.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Korie told Fox News Digital the decision to return to television was prayerful and carefully considered.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • To avoid a trial, Jordan’s lawyers just accepted a plea deal, which will close out the case for good.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
  • However, in November 2021, Smith changed his plea to guilty and also agreed to testify against Shah, who still maintained her innocence, according to Business Insider.
    Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The appeals administrator would be the one who does grant that or not grant that.
    Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • But its unique landscape appeals to a much broader range of demographics, from retirees checking off bucket-list destinations, to Southern California families escaping the sprawl, to young adults on a quest for self-discovery.
    Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • My deepest condolences and prayers are with Trey's family during this difficult time.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • His family is asking for prayers and privacy at this time.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kumukahi is wearing a red blouse with an overlaid print of the 1897 petition against the annexation by the United States, written by her great-grand-aunt, and signed by 40,000 people.
    Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Discipbush Baggy Parachute Pants with Pockets Consider this our official petition to bring back parachute pants.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Plead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plead. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on plead

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!