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
During back-to-back hearings in Brooklyn federal court, 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.
—
Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Larysa was stuck in Belarus, a country allied with Russia that Nataliia despised and had refused to move to, despite her daughter’s many pleas.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
In December, Jon and Carie Hallford entered guilty pleas to state charges.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
The move to abandon the criminal probe comes after weeks of private pleas from Senate Republicans that grew increasingly public.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The two men are scheduled to appear in federal Los Angeles court today, and no pleas will be taken, the US DOJ said.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Though Niall tries to calm Ruben, his pleas fall on deaf ears.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
During Burke’s arraignment Monday afternoon, his defense team entered not guilty pleas on his behalf to all counts, arguing that evidence shows Burke did not kill the girl, the Associated Press reported.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Burke’s attorney, Blair Berk, entered the pleas on the singer’s behalf and reiterated his claim of innocence.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Larysa was stuck in Belarus, a country allied with Russia that Nataliia despised and had refused to move to, despite her daughter’s many pleas.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
In December, Jon and Carie Hallford entered guilty pleas to state charges.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
The move to abandon the criminal probe comes after weeks of private pleas from Senate Republicans that grew increasingly public.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The two men are scheduled to appear in federal Los Angeles court today, and no pleas will be taken, the US DOJ said.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Though Niall tries to calm Ruben, his pleas fall on deaf ears.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
During Burke’s arraignment Monday afternoon, his defense team entered not guilty pleas on his behalf to all counts, arguing that evidence shows Burke did not kill the girl, the Associated Press reported.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Burke’s attorney, Blair Berk, entered the pleas on the singer’s behalf and reiterated his claim of innocence.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleas
Noun
-
But appeals to return it have grown with the rise of social media, most notably after Queen Elizabeth II died almost four years ago.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Years of appeals followed and he was resentenced to death in 1988, 1993 and 1996.—
Jeffrey Collins,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are at least three good excuses to do just that.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
At Dos Pueblos High in Goleta, baseball coach George Hedricks needed no excuses to start freshman Mattias Di Maggio, considering last name of DiMaggio is one of the best baseball names in the history of the sport.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His children have since spoken out, asking for prayers and grace.—
Charmaine Patterson,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.—
Eleanor Nash
Updated May 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Grove said the agency’s justifications for consolidating offices in Salt Lake City, Utah, don’t make sense.—
Karl Hille,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The numbers and justifications don’t add up.—
Kristen Monsell,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On Tuesday in Oak Park, voters placed their petitions in ballot boxes, then people weighed in on both sides of the issue, and strong emotions were expressed by those for and against placing the advisory measure on the ballot in a session where each comment was limited to two minutes.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Residents launched a fierce opposition campaign, packing city council meetings and mounting petitions.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With the exception of the punitive visit to the bank, Suzanna’s grandmother does not discuss her daughter’s crime or her reasons for committing it.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The government exists to create the environment where these technologies can help Californians to flourish, not limit them for sometimes political reasons, which is always overreach.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleas. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
