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 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 Dominguez entered pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity to the charges. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026 Their pleas came after Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens pleaded guilty last week and resigned. — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 7 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
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
  • 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
  • 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pleas

Nglish: Translation of pleas for Spanish Speakers

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