pleas

noun

plural of plea
1
as in appeals
an earnest request the captive made an impassioned plea for his life to be spared

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in excuses
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame my only plea is that I've been overworked lately

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 pleas Yet, despite Smith being the ratings magnet on the network, his pleas to protect his colleague were ignored. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026 According to data from June, prosecutors have secured guilty pleas in 40 of those cases — but lost nearly every case that has gone to trial. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and Phoenix Henrichsen, 23, appeared in federal court in Sacramento on Monday but did not enter pleas to charges of kidnapping a federal employee and aiding and abetting. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 21 July 2026 Players including Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, former Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas and former Giants safety Julian Love used the hashtag #WorthTheCost in their online pleas. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026 Each post has been circulated repeatedly with desperate pleas from bereaved owners and basic information about their beloved animals. — Anabella Gonzalez, CNN Money, 19 July 2026 Walker had earlier entered pleas of not guilty to the charges in the initial complaint. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 All three appeared in court Wednesday and entered not guilty pleas to the misdemeanor charge of destruction of property. — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 9 July 2026 The suspensions by the state Supreme Court followed guilty pleas by Sarkin and Levitt, Florida Bar members since 1992 and 1988, respectively. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleas
  1. appeals
  2. excuses
  3. prayers
  4. justifications
  5. petitions
  6. reasons
Noun
  • Then add time for zoning reviews, appeals, and public hearings instead of using one best-case date.
    — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • American Dream’s points-pass model — pay per ride instead of a full-day ticket — is the kind of unbundling that appeals to casual visitors and mixed-interest families.
    — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of appeals
Noun
  • There’s no room for excuses after the moves the Rams made this offseason.
    — Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 23 July 2026
  • Yet, these panels often become excuses for inaction unless meticulously designed to *force* solutions.
    — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of excuses
Noun
  • Thank you for all of the love, prayers, and warm wishes for our sweet boy.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
  • The vigils — held at the corner of 7th Street and Capitol Mall — typically involved music, singing and prayers from members of different faiths, including Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of prayers
Noun
  • Hegseth, who appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee to request an additional $67 billion in funding, was pressed by Democrats to be more transparent about the war's war's progress, goals, strategies and justifications.
    — Mary Bruce, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • All of these excuses and explanations and justifications are wrong, and missing the point.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of justifications
Noun
  • Beginning in 2029, the state will start implementing automatic sealing for qualifying records without requiring individuals to file petitions.
    — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Those petitions were granted automatically after a comment period, but the FCC has not yet acted on AT&T’s request to preempt California rules.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026
Definition of petitions
Noun
  • The reasons why the world is turning up its nose at oil are complex.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • For a variety of reasons, three intriguing All-Stars — the Colorado Rockies’ Hunter Goodman, Athletics’ Shea Langeliers and Baltimore Orioles switch-hitter Adley Rutschman — are less likely to move.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of reasons

Browse Nearby Words

plead (to)
pleas
pleasance
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Cite this Entry

“Pleas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleas. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pleas

Nglish: Translation of pleas for Spanish Speakers

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