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
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Becerra’s former aide plead guilty last year to embezzling $225,000 from a dormant campaign account and using it to pad his salary; Becerra has denied any knowledge of the scheme or faced any charges.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Often, Ridge to Rivers spends much of the winter pleading with users to avoid trails in particularly clay-heavy locations in an effort to minimize damage.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
Larry Martin Demery pleaded guilty to the July 1993 murder of James Jordan, Michael Jordan’s father.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
The mass trial began Tuesday, with many suspects pleading guilty to charges brought against them by the Nigerian government.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plead
Verb
Acosta allowed Epstein to plead guilty to less serious state charges, and Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in the Palm Beach County jail.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Becerra’s former aide plead guilty last year to embezzling $225,000 from a dormant campaign account and using it to pad his salary; Becerra has denied any knowledge of the scheme or faced any charges.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
In pleadings, lawyers for the state have insisted the Justice Department has no business telling the state how to care for Florida’s children.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Often, Ridge to Rivers spends much of the winter pleading with users to avoid trails in particularly clay-heavy locations in an effort to minimize damage.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Bryant was originally indicted in May 2023, and had pleaded not guilty.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
Larry Martin Demery pleaded guilty to the July 1993 murder of James Jordan, Michael Jordan’s father.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Around that time, Celeste’s family and friends became increasingly worried about her safety and whereabouts, urgently pleading for help from their neighbors, the public and police.
—Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
The mass trial began Tuesday, with many suspects pleading guilty to charges brought against them by the Nigerian government.
—ABC News, 10 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
-
The coastal Georgia man arrested in 2018 and accused of torturing, killing and burying his two teenage children in the backyard of the family’s mobile home will spend the rest of his life behind bars after reaching a plea deal.—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Ashley Hernandez-DeJesus took a plea deal in May 2025, pleading guilty to a single count of first-degree manslaughter and two counts of risk of injury to a minor, according to court records.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 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
-
His voice and his music are unfailingly tasteful and pleasant, which is a key part of both his appeal and limitations.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Gold remains the more reliable hedge, and silver has broader appeal, while silver offers a hybrid role with both industrial demand and investment appeal.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The actor’s mom, Joyce Patton, also shared the news on Facebook and asked for prayers for her son.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Muslim worshippers, barred from praying at the Al-Aqsa mosque under wartime restrictions, had gathered outside the walls of the Old City for prayers.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hillsborough County Court records also showed two domestic violence petitions filed by a family member in 2023.—
Claudia Lauer,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In April of last year, the Supreme Court ruled that the habeas corpus petitions required in such cases can only be filed individually, rather than in groups as part of a nationwide class action.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plead. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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