1
as in appeals
an earnest request
the captive made an impassioned plea for his life to be spared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Kelvin Evans, 41, on Tuesday entered guilty pleas in Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia to counts of entering an automobile and criminal trespass.
—
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Dozens of students descended on City Hall, wielding signs and pleas to restore this funding.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
The Guthrie family has repeatedly made pleas on social media asking everyone who might have seen something to please get in contact.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 May 2026
Preempt those pleas with ALDI’s Stonemill line of seasoning spice mixes.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
The announcement follows a public letter from state Child Advocate Christina Ghio issuing urgent pleas for action at DCF.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2026
The Today show co-anchor reiterated pleas for help after her mother was last seen in late January.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 10 May 2026
The following year, Gallon entered no-contest pleas in the murders and in 2019 was sentenced to three consecutive life terms without parole, plus an additional 94 years in prison.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
They are scheduled to enter pleas to the charges on Monday.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Dozens of students descended on City Hall, wielding signs and pleas to restore this funding.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
The Guthrie family has repeatedly made pleas on social media asking everyone who might have seen something to please get in contact.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 May 2026
Preempt those pleas with ALDI’s Stonemill line of seasoning spice mixes.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
The announcement follows a public letter from state Child Advocate Christina Ghio issuing urgent pleas for action at DCF.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2026
The Today show co-anchor reiterated pleas for help after her mother was last seen in late January.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 10 May 2026
The following year, Gallon entered no-contest pleas in the murders and in 2019 was sentenced to three consecutive life terms without parole, plus an additional 94 years in prison.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
They are scheduled to enter pleas to the charges on Monday.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleas
Noun
-
By following this guidance, prosecutors can avoid other appeals issues in its retrial.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
The rest of the former policy — which spans about five pages long and addresses probationary periods, progressive discipline, appeals, hearings and more — was cut out on Tuesday night after the Board of Managers unanimously voted to delete the language.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Now, with a new head coach, new quarterback and a 12-team College Football Playoff, the excuses for the Nittany Lions to not make it to the postseason are running out.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
Wallstedt made no excuses for the roughest outing of his seven career playoff starts, acknowledging that Colorado, with its hockey version of fast break offense, is a much different challenge than Dallas, which played a more meticulous and patient offensive game.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
Top Republican officials promote event Organizers expect thousands of people to attend Rededicate 250, which will include worship music, prayers and speeches from Cabinet heads and other Republican officials, along with religious leaders and others.—
Peter Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
No excuses, no justifications, a sincere apology.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
No excuses, no justifications, a sincere apology.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The Brooklyn Democratic Party is attempting to silence its own voters who signed these petitions.—
Adam Davis,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
In York County, the approval process itself — conducted largely behind the scenes — has sparked opposition by way of petitions and road signage.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
There are other reasons for sending the frigates, however.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
One of the reasons for prices higher than neighboring states is the Illinois practice of applying sales taxes to the cost of gasoline after the motor fuel tax is charged to motorists.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleas. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
