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 If the judge finds there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, Robinson will be arraigned and enter pleas. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Leo’s Saturday pleas to European and American leaders are not unprecedented. — Connor Greene, Time, 4 July 2026 Lunas Campos’ early pleas for help continued throughout his detention. — Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 3 July 2026 Cinnamon Mary Trimpey, 57, entered the pleas before Sacramento Superior Court Judge David Bonilla. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 Jones entered guilty pleas to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in schemes to defraud major sportsbooks, including DraftKings and FanDuel, and filch millions of dollars from unwitting poker players. — Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 29 June 2026 Savannah has made several heartbreaking pleas on Instagram and returned to work in April. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 18 June 2026 In October, his children made heartfelt pleas to a New York federal judge to see their father released from federal lockup after more than a year of incarceration. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026 Joseph and Kendra have both entered not guilty pleas to all charges. — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleas
  1. appeals
  2. excuses
  3. prayers
  4. justifications
  5. petitions
  6. reasons
Noun
  • The verdict is still subject to post-trial motions and possible appeals.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • Plastic appeals to cats because of its texture, sound and smell.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of appeals
Noun
  • With a roster full of players from major European teams and 13 who were World Cup veterans, a lack of quality and experience no longer were valid excuses.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
  • Any violence is to be condemned, no excuses, no explanations, OK?
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 July 2026
Definition of excuses
Noun
  • In Jewish law, some prayers, such as those in the morning service, can only be said communally, in a quorum of 10 Jewish adults, called a minyan.
    — Yonat Shimron, NPR, 16 July 2026
  • The Pomona Red Devils team paid tribute in a Facebook post, sharing prayers for the couple.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of prayers
Noun
  • What was the breakdown for and against and what justifications did the majority give for its decision?
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Its role is to expose wrongdoing, illuminate facts, and draw the world’s attention to crimes committed in the name of false causes and manufactured justifications.
    — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Definition of justifications
Noun
  • At her press conference announcing the request for criminal investigations, Sheinbaum also called for petitions to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
    — Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
  • In 1972, ordinary Californians circulated petitions, knocked on doors, and rode bicycles down the coast, rallying support for Proposition 20, which aimed to regulate coastal development.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of petitions
Noun
  • Scientists not involved in the study praised it but also offered some reasons to be cautious.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
  • That was one of the reasons De Jong didn’t want to confine the film to the Mediterranean.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 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 18 Jul. 2026.

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