Thesaurus results for PLEA

Q: How does the noun 'plea' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plea are alibi , apologia , apology , excuse , and pretext . While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy. // her usual plea that she was nearsighted

Q: When is 'alibi' a more appropriate choice than 'plea'?

The words alibi and plea can be used in similar contexts, but alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation. // his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Q: When can 'apologia' be used instead of 'plea'?

The meanings of apologia and plea largely overlap; however, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position. // his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

Q: When would 'apology' be a good substitute for 'plea'?

While the synonyms apology and plea are close in meaning, apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances. // said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

Q: Where would 'excuse' be a reasonable alternative to 'plea'?

While in some cases nearly identical to plea , excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure. // used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pretext' instead of 'plea'?

In some situations, the words pretext and plea are roughly equivalent. However, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation. // used any pretext to get out of work

plea

noun

ˈplē

Definition of plea

as in appeal

an earnest request the captive made an impassioned plea for his life to be spared

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in excuse

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun plea contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plea are alibi, apologia, apology, excuse, and pretext. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

When is alibi a more appropriate choice than plea?

The words alibi and plea can be used in similar contexts, but alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

When can apologia be used instead of plea?

The meanings of apologia and plea largely overlap; however, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position.

his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

When would apology be a good substitute for plea?

While the synonyms apology and plea are close in meaning, apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances.

said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

Where would excuse be a reasonable alternative to plea?

While in some cases nearly identical to plea, excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

When is it sensible to use pretext instead of plea?

In some situations, the words pretext and plea are roughly equivalent. However, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

used any pretext to get out of work

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 plea In this fast-moving case, the appellate court that ordered the grand jury report to be expunged subsequently refused the party’s desperate plea for a prior restraint gag order. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 In 2018, Lewis entered a guilty plea to disorderly conduct involving fighting and was again sentenced to probation. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 His license will also be revoked for the rest of his life as a result of the plea agreement with prosecutors. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 Today, the United States Department of Justice announced that the 48-year-old entered a guilty plea and will be facing a maximum of five years in prison. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plea

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plea

Noun

Admittedly, the album’s ’90s sound palette has echoes of millennial nostalgia bait—but then again, when has nostalgia not been part of Hemsworth’s appeal?

— Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
The government filed an emergency appeal asking the justices to lift a lower court decision halting construction.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of appeal

Noun

No, there's no excuse for the season going off the rails this much.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Rubio warns against delaying transition Speaking on the record during the question-and-answer portion of the call, Rubio insisted that Washington would not allow the institutional reforms to become an excuse for postponing elections indefinitely.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excuse

Noun

Sitake winds up practice with a prayer and insists that the defense and offense shake hands after going at one another all day.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
In 1697 the Massachusetts General Court ordered a day of fasting and prayer to repent for the unlawfulness of the trials.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of prayer

Noun

Harbaugh won't use injuries as an excuse, just as coach Sean McVay won't point to missing Garrett for five games and Donald for two as justification for the Rams' woes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Stewart was an executive producer of his friend Colbert’s show and harshly criticized the cancellation, rejecting Paramount’s financial justification and accusing the company of bending the knee to the president.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of justification

Noun

The question is going to voters because opponents gathered petition signatures forcing a referendum.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Attorneys for Pro Silver Star sent the band a cease-and-desist letter on Thursday, the filing states, and a copy of the petition for the restraining order and injunction on Friday.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of petition

Noun

For next year’s admissions, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria and explain rejections when applicants request reasons.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
For that reason, Republicans believe the seat is a likely pickup this fall in what is otherwise a difficult midterm environment.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

Patriot stockpiles are low, largely because of the Iran war, and Ukraine has received only small numbers of them this year despite President Volodymyr Zelensky’s pleading.

— Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Patriot stockpiles are low, largely because of the Iran war, and Ukraine has received only small numbers of them this year despite President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s pleading.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of pleading

Browse Nearby Words

plazas

plea

pleach

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“Plea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plea. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of plea

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