plea

noun

ˈplē How to pronounce plea (audio)
Definition of pleanext
1
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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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

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 She was indicted on six counts in October 2024 after her accuser came forward, but four of those charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal, reported NBC affiliate WLWT. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025 Vidal remains held on a $500,000 bond and has not entered a plea, records show. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2025 One plea to drop the investigation came in a March 19 letter from conservative groups including the Center for Individual Freedom, Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance. —ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025 The posts prompted outrage from fans who flooded the posts with pleas for Frostys to remain on menus. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plea
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plea
  1. appeal
  2. excuse
  3. prayer
  4. justification
  5. petition
  6. reason
  7. pleading
  8. apology
Noun
  • There’s plenty of beach to go around in Florida, each with a different appeal.
    — Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Reflection and Commentary By reflecting on memories through a combination of nostalgic ocean art and Western art and engaging the viewer by commenting on societal issues and environmental concerns, Nathan’s work demonstrates significant appeal.
    — Matt Emma, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of appeal
Noun
  • Ignorance Ignorance is never an excuse for poor governance.
    — Committee of 200, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • These past comments from Trump have often appeared to be in jest, or just an excuse to excite his loyal fan base during public speaking.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • The service will include prayer, scripture readings, communion, and worship music performed by an ensemble from Liberty University.
    — Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2025
  • My thoughts and prayers are with Jon's family and loved ones.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of prayer
Noun
  • What are the present political implications of trying to empathize with Germans under the Nazi regime, to better understand their own justifications for their crimes?
    — Joseph Bernstein, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • This administration might use a domestic crisis as even more justification to bypass legislative and judicial oversight.
    — Jane Harman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of justification
Noun
  • That petition was summarily denied Friday, according to court records.
    — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Hochman's office also filed a motion opposing the petition.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of petition
Noun
  • The reason for the independence, the Brookings Institution explains, is that politicians tend to want lower interest rates because lower rates stimulate the economy.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The reason for the increase in the Tigers’ team score came after a review of Mizzou’s third rotation — balance beam.
    — Henry Chappell, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of reason
Noun
  • Others combined grand geopolitical theory with narrowly self-interested pleading.
    — Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Finally, a concerted Administration effort to generate public support for dismantling specific anticompetitive regulations that hit Americans hardest in the pocketbook might yield sufficient congressional support to overcome special interest pleadings.
    — Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of pleading
Noun
  • The opposition Democratic Party slammed Yoon on Monday as delusional for not making any sincere apology.
    — Joyce Lee, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The Times' then-editorial page editor, James Bennet, who had inserted the incorrect claims into the passage, wrote an apology that was posted to the opinion section's social media account.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of apology

Browse Nearby Words

plazas
plea
pleach
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Cite this Entry

“Plea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plea. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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