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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plead
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Medina was charged and later pleaded guilty to the crimes.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
His attorneys have said in legal pleadings that is incorrect.
—Nolan Clay, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
Peterson, who pleaded not guilty on April 1, is due in court for a preliminary hearing this Friday, records show.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
After pleading guilty last year to murdering Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino in 2021, Banegas, 23, was spared the death penalty by a Broward jury in December.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plead
Verb
Wood pleaded not guilty in San Francisco Superior Court and was released to a psychiatric hospital on $300,000 bail, according to the Post.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Medina was charged and later pleaded guilty to the crimes.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
Following months of fan-casting, social media pleading, and hopeful speculation, the Agatha All Along actress has officially been cast to play Mother Gothel in Disney's live-action remake of Tangled.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
His attorneys have said in legal pleadings that is incorrect.
—Nolan Clay, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Horner, 34, pleaded guilty at the start of the trial on Tuesday, April 7, to capital murder in the course of kidnapping.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
Peterson, who pleaded not guilty on April 1, is due in court for a preliminary hearing this Friday, records show.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
Thompson also told jurors Horner had accepted responsibility by pleading guilty and would spend the rest of his life in prison if sentenced to life without parole.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
After pleading guilty last year to murdering Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino in 2021, Banegas, 23, was spared the death penalty by a Broward jury in December.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 8 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
-
During Monday's hearing, no decisions were made and no one entered a plea, as the arraignment has been continued to Thursday for the five defendants.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The plea came just weeks after her husband, John Reilly III, was found guilty of assault for firing at the driver's car as the man was trying to leave their property in May 2025.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 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
-
Duggan's wife and mother of his six children, Saffrine Duggan, told reporters outside the court in Canberra that his lawyers would consider a further appeal.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The league’s latest collective bargaining agreement requires players to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards, but Doncic and Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham both won appeals under the CBA’s extraordinary circumstances provision.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Still, Vance questioned Leo anew, pushing back specifically at the pope’s Palm Sunday assertion that God does not hear the prayers of those who make war.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
But Rene faced this uphill climb with the same indomitable spirit that defined her, filling her days with smiles, prayers, good deeds and with adventures, especially after tests offered up hope that the disease had been halted.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The judge granted Nancy's petition and gave Nancy possession of the house.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images An online petition to urge Philz to keep the Pride flags up was circulated and immediately tallied thousands of signatures.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plead. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
