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 Following Miller’s and Young’s plea agreement, Missouri lawmakers were divided in their opinions on whether to change the sweeping stand-your-ground laws enacted in 2016. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 The Valkyries’ coaching staff’s pleas to the officiating crew for a flagrant foul call were not successful. — Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 When reached Friday, Melissa Ferrer declined to comment on the plea deal. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 Amid criticism of the plea deal from many families of the victims, the Biden administration withdrew the agreement, resulting in more litigation. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plea

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plea

Noun

Now, in the midst of a subdued market, investors are being more selective, and the new playbook for funding fashion has a lot to do with the quality of that growth, the depth of connection with customers and the founder’s individual appeal.

— Tara Donaldson, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Lucas chose to accept his execution and waive further appeals after DeSantis signed his death warrant in July.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of appeal

Noun

Its rise also marks the beginning of the Hindu celebration of Pitru Paksha, during which worshippers perform rites to honor ancestors by offering prayers and food to past members of their families.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Until its revival as an everyday, spoken language in the modern state of Israel, it was mostly reserved for prayers and religious writings.

— Ilan Stavans, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of prayer

Noun

Under Ohio law, a postconviction petition must generally be filed within 365 days after the trial transcript is filed in the court of appeals.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Shares for gambling operators DraftKings and FanDuel's parent company Flutter Entertainment, were both up by more than 5% after New Jersey filed its petition.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of petition

Noun

After wrapping up its longest monthly losing streak on Wall Street in more than a decade, Google has started September by giving investors several reasons for optimism.

— MacKenzie Sigalos,Drew Troast, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Another company might have seen the same 20% decline for entirely different reasons.

— James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

Less pleading and more of a warning, Beyoncé’s version of the beloved hit features different lyrics and an introduction that directly references the original track.

— Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
The narrator is vulnerable, pleading, totally at the mercy of the other woman.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of pleading

Noun

The viral moment became a topic of conversation for weeks after the show wrapped, with Rausch also gifting her a Birkin Bag as an apology for betraying her on the show.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
The rest of the officers at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office who were part of setting this undercover operation up and didn’t listen owe the officer an apology.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of apology

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 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of plea

noun

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