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
Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
The Ponzo brothers pleaded guilty to felonies arising from the bribery kickback scheme, and a district judge sentenced both of them to 27 months in federal prison.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Feb. 2026
On Sunday, Savannah Guthrie posted an emotional video pleading once again for her mother's return.
—Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
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
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Apr. 2026
McGehee was serving up to 25 years in prison after pleading no contest in a robbery case in July 2020 in Macomb County, according to state prison records.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plead
Verb
Curry, following his June 9, 2024, arrest, pleaded guilty through the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office to operating while intoxicated after facing the possibility of nine other charges, including resisting arrest and battery to law enforcement, Byrd said.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
The Ponzo brothers pleaded guilty to felonies arising from the bribery kickback scheme, and a district judge sentenced both of them to 27 months in federal prison.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
Against 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao and now against Garcia, Barrios couldn’t let his hands go, despite the pleadings of his old trainer, Bob Santos, and new chief second Joe Goossen.
—John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Feb. 2026
On Sunday, Savannah Guthrie posted an emotional video pleading once again for her mother's return.
—Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Verb
Guthrie disappeared sometime between late January 31 and the early hours of February 1, and the first few days were a race against time, with police pursuing every lead and the Guthrie family posting multiple videos pleading with the kidnappers.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Apr. 2026
McGehee was serving up to 25 years in prison after pleading no contest in a robbery case in July 2020 in Macomb County, according to state prison records.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
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
-
Pärt’s formulas, born out of long, prayerful periods with sacred texts, offer beauty in the warmth and friction of relationships: melody and tintinnabuli, word and the limits of language, sounds and silence.—
Jeffers Engelhardt,
The Conversation,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Dozens flocked to City Hall, wielding signs and voicing pleas for Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, Sacramento City Manager Maraskeshia Smith and other council members to halt construction.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Tiger Woods has entered a plea of not guilty and has waived his arraignment, demanding a trial with a jury.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Violators can be punished with fines up to $500 and three months in jail under one anti-begging law and with fines starting at up to $100 and 10 days in jail under a law against soliciting contributions from people in cars.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After an appeal of those terms, the arbitrator issued the decision to reinstate Moran on Wednesday.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The older two initially resist their parents’ appeals to immerse themselves in nature, but the youngest, who is mute, explores the area and finds a magical tree inhabited by a group of extraordinary characters.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The final two days of Passover commemorate the parting of the Red Sea, which provided an escape route from Egypt, and are also observed with specific traditions by some, such as reading a special prayer, studying the Torah and relaxing the rules around leavened foods.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Community members in the county gathered around the football field March 30 for a group prayer in honor of the students.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In 2020, a federal judge dismissed a petition from Howard County for the FAA to change some flight paths at the airport due to noise pollution.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Brands are used to reports and likely just as numb to petitions.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plead. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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