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 Høiby pleaded not guilty to the most severe accusations against him, including those of rape, while admitting to some lesser charges. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Other companies have also faced major opioid litigation, including Purdue Pharma, which pleaded guilty to criminal charges in 2020 involving OxyContin, and drug wholesaler Cencora, formerly AmerisourceBergen. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 In 2014, the late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended for six games and fined $500,000 after pleading guilty to driving while impaired. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 Jake Reiner’s younger brother, Nick Reiner, faces charges of murdering their parents in December 2025, charges Nick Reiner has pleaded not guilty to. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 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
  • Some officials argue that would let Iceland keep control of its waters, since no EU country has fished there for decades.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
  • While that figure was low, the researchers argued that even a small risk of unintended weapons use could be unacceptable in sensitive maritime confrontations.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of argue
Verb
  • The disclosure contends that, because of the new procedures, a single scanning error in a batch of tens of thousands of ballot envelopes could prevent any from reaching voters.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Defense attorneys contend that because only a single bullet was fired — and struck its target — the crowd was not at risk.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of contend
Verb
  • An organization that can't see what its own people know can't reason from it or build on it, and ends up making the same mistakes in three places at once.
    — Panos Siozos, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • China is betting big on humanoid robots, which the nation’s technology leaders see as key agents in the race to artificial general intelligence (AGI) – an AI system with human-level ability to reason and act.
    — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of reason
Verb
  • For good measure, Pabst’s social media updates took a tongue-in-cheek approach that may have actually convinced people the posts were more playful than actual pleas for help.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Greyson said nearly five decades of studying near-death experiences has convinced him there is probably something after death.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of convince
Verb
  • The secretary insisted he is focused on leading the War Department.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Alongside workers’ rights organization Arise Chicago and community organizing group Communities United, workers are now stepping forward to insist that the business give them their due — in full.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • The item asserted that some Medicare and Medicaid cancer patients wait longer for treatment than those with private insurance.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The report asserts flatly that Zucker wasn’t truthful and danced around the same accusation regarding Ballmer.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of assert

Phrases Containing plead

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pleaching
plead
pleaded
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Cite this Entry

“Plead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plead. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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