plead

verb

ˈplēd How to pronounce plead (audio)
Definition of pleadnext
as in to argue
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration can I plead temporary insanity for having made that foolish decision?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 plead Wyandotte County prosecutors announced that Shawn Harris, 39, pleaded guilty after initially entering a not guilty plea in July 2025. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 Recently, Wahid was the lead defense attorney in the death penalty case of a Miami man who pleaded guilty to the horrific triple homicide of his estranged wife and her two young daughters. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026 Last month, Vance pleaded with prospective voters during an appearance on the All In podcast. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026 For Capra, as for Dickens, a mob could be either a chorus, pleading for justice, or a milling source of dread. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plead
  1. argue
  2. contend
  3. reason
  4. convince
  5. insist
  6. assert
Verb
  • Rubio has argued that before holding new elections, Venezuela must stabilize its economy and rebuild its institutions, including its courts and electoral council.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Catholics have used Scripture to argue for and against deportations and strict immigration enforcement.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of argue
Verb
  • The lawsuit in District Court for the District of Columbia contends that the federal government failed to comply with numerous statutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Mazzio's attorney said the two men are longtime friends and contends their actions were legal.
    — Alice Gainer, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of contend
Verb
  • An agent may reason, invoke tools, call multiple models, access data and trigger downstream actions to complete a task.
    — Jesse Stockall, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from having great weather, California is also a hotbed for innovation, Huang has reasoned.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of reason
Verb
  • No economic pressure will convince people here to make a deal.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The new president will need to convince investors that Brazil can stabilize its debt trajectory, said Alejo Czerwonko, a fellow at the Atlantic Council.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of convince
Verb
  • The administration insists its strategy of inflicting economic pain is working.
    — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Putin has long insisted that Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which Russia has tried — and failed — to fully capture over more than four years of war have always been Russian.
    — Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • But experts believe Kim's sister has been asserting her authority recently, too, and appearances like this week's are part of that effort.
    — Anna Coren, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Joseph Hill, the director of the Center for Black Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, asserted that BASL is generally treated as more of a dialect than a language.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of assert

Phrases Containing plead

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plead
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Cite this Entry

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

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