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 Sierra pleaded guilty in August to the 2012 murders of his estranged wife, 29-year-old Gladys Machado, and her two daughters, 6-year-old Julia Padrino and 3-year-old Daniela Padrino, after suffocating all three with a plastic bag. — Anna McAllister, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Selma Blair pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer and nurse after a Delta Air Lines incident. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Hearing part of Kohberger’s attempt to change plea Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to the murder of four University of Idaho students as part of a plea agreement to avoid the possible death penalty. — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026 Schools and libraries from around the US pleaded with the Federal Communications Commission to drop the idea of ending E-Rate, a $2 billion-a-year program that connects students and library visitors to the Internet. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 14 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
  • Others are skeptical the task force can accomplish much in such a short time period, arguing that eventually sweeping new legislation will be needed to regulate AI.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Consumer advocates have argued that digital labels could eventually be used for surge pricing or personalized pricing.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of argue
Verb
  • State officials contend the walkout is unlawful because the union failed to exempt employees deemed essential to public safety and is not properly engaging in mediations due to the call for a one-day strike.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Netflix film, which premiered at New York Film Festival earlier this month, is one of 10 Oscar-contending feature documentaries included in Doc Stories’ lineup.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of contend
Verb
  • This line of defense didn’t persuade Sweeney, who reasoned that adding athletes with expired eligibility would mean more, not less, market competition.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Yet rather than reasoning inductively to know God – through starting with an assessment of mortal man – a more effective approach is instead to reason deductively.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Kamala Harris’ defeat convinced some Democratic strategists, like the big-tenters at Third Way and the Searchlight Institute, that Democratic candidates were too easily moved by activists, and that voters held this against them.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Be alert for convincing medical scams Someone who knows your doctor's name or recent treatment details may sound legitimate over the phone.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of convince
Verb
  • While officials insist the demolitions are a non-negotiable step toward revitalizing the corridor along Old National Highway, the families and owners left in the wake of the bulldozers say true recovery remains a distant promise.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • There is a distinction, of course, between insisting on witnesses and staging a spectacle.
    — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • Moriarty's office said rejection killings are a form of femicide in which women are targeted for asserting autonomy over their bodies.
    — Jason Rantala, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Expect Bass at tonight’s debate to try and assert her dominance early with equal part offense against Raman and defense of her record.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of assert

Phrases Containing plead

Browse Nearby Words

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 20 Oct. 2026.

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