1
as in appeal
an earnest request
the captive made an impassioned plea for his life to be spared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
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
Leo’s Saturday pleas to European and American leaders are not unprecedented.
—
Connor Greene,
Time,
4 July 2026
Landry and Murrill have pointed to the 2011 plea deal in objecting to Duncan calling himself exonerated.
—
Safiyah Riddle,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Lunas Campos’ early pleas for help continued throughout his detention.
—
Perla Trevizo,
ProPublica,
3 July 2026
In May, Crisp entered an Alford plea, which carries the same weight as a guilty plea but does not require a defendant to admit guilt, only that there’s enough evidence to convict them, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.
—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for plea
Connor Greene,
Time,
4 July 2026
Landry and Murrill have pointed to the 2011 plea deal in objecting to Duncan calling himself exonerated.
—
Safiyah Riddle,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Lunas Campos’ early pleas for help continued throughout his detention.
—
Perla Trevizo,
ProPublica,
3 July 2026
In May, Crisp entered an Alford plea, which carries the same weight as a guilty plea but does not require a defendant to admit guilt, only that there’s enough evidence to convict them, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.
—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for plea
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plea
Noun
-
Those in the appeal process will be allowed to once again bill for services as the Department of Human Services reviews their claims; as of June 29, about 321 appeals had been completed.
-
Ireland Ireland offers a rare cross-generational appeal, where estate activities and rugged landscapes make for an ideal family itinerary.
Noun
-
The excuses that keep piling up The backyard isn’t my first condition.
-
While a full overhaul of the entire system might not be practical, there is certainly no excuse for lawmakers to make things worse.
Noun
-
The thoughts and prayers expressed on the phones are, in a sense, carried by the wind.
-
Iranian state media showed throngs of people gathered at Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, a large prayer complex in Tehran, visiting the family's caskets.
Noun
-
Creative output alone is no longer sufficient justification for investment.
-
What was the breakdown for and against and what justifications did the majority give for its decision?
Noun
-
Congress for a time had stopped hearing anti-slavery petitions as too divisive.
-
In addition to his restraining order, Tate also filed a petition to modify the terms of their divorce and custody agreement.
Noun
-
But this also is among the reasons her books are considered must-reads in the classroom, and contemporary classics.
-
The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines in 2025 for a number of reasons.
Noun
-
Friends and teammates had also made a video pleading for more machinery.
-
Those health claims are the plaintiffs’, advanced in the pleading.
Noun
-
The second note was reported by NBC News last week to have referred to Guthrie at that point as having died, without making an apology or demanding any payment for the return of her body.
-
Ogwumike later posted an apology video, which OutKick was told ESPN encouraged her to record due to the reckless nature of her remarks.
Cite this Entry
“Plea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plea. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
