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 Despite the Tench family’s pleas and more than 6,000 signatures demanding police search the landfill, police have not done that. —Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2025 The criminal case avoided trial when Knight accepted a plea deal in September 2018. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2025 Ruby cast blame on Hildebrandt for what had occurred and agreed to testify against the counselor as part of a plea deal. —Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025 Young Thug ended 2024 on a high note for himself and his fans when he was offered a plea deal and released from jail. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 25 Feb. 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
  • For Shirazi, part of the appeal of government work was the security.
    — E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The rug’s slightly distressed look gives it a bit of vintage appeal, and its stain-resistant finish will protect against everyday spills and debris.
    — Toni Sutton, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of appeal
Noun
  • At least juveniles have an excuse: The human brain isn’t fully developed until age 25.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Canada and China have both questioned the Trump administration’s focus on fentanyl, calling it an excuse to issue his tariffs.
    — William Gavin, Quartz, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • Related article Supreme Court flooded with prayers for relief from groups eager to promote religion Those findings come from the Pew Research Center’s Religious Landscape Study, which aims to provide a comprehensive measurement of Americans’ religious beliefs and practices.
    — Jennifer Agiesta, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The Catholic Church stands with immigrants, as Cardinal Robert McElroy reminded us in the recent prayer service at the cathedral.
    — Scott Santarosa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of prayer
Noun
  • Yet to those who didn’t live through the Dončić experience — the front office executives, coaches and scouts who would love nothing more than to get their hands on a player of his ilk — all these justifications for the trade simply don’t compute.
    — Sam Amick, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Floridians may preregister to vote at age 16 and request vote-by-mail ballots with no justification needed.
    — Stephen C. Phillips, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of justification
Noun
  • Nevertheless, SpaceX says its own petition to revise the 1.6/2.4GHz rules was filed before Globalstar’s application for the C3 constellation.
    — Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Over the course of his imprisonment, he’s become a deeply Christian man who prays several times a day, narratives included in his clemency petition submitted to the parole board stated.
    — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of petition
Noun
  • But the reason for this recent drop in yields — softer economic growth expectations — may mean that’s not the case this time, according to Morgan Stanley strategists led by Michael Wilson.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025
  • This is yet another reason why AI can serve humanity but can never replace people outright.
    — Michael Ashley, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of reason
Noun
  • Despite Danielle’s pleading and whining, Carolyn wisely refuses to recruit Britney to their ranks.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
  • On Tuesday, in response to a motion to dismiss filed by the state in January, the witnesses of the shooting and families of the victims their individual pleadings into a single lawsuit in the Illinois Court of Claims, records show.
    — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
Definition of pleading
Noun
  • After the censure had been determined, Fecteau told Libby that the House members would take a break while Libby considered her apology.
    — Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Antony raised his hand in apology immediately after making the challenge before he was dismissed by referee Javier Alberola Rojas.
    — Dermot Corrigan, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Definition of apology

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“Plea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plea. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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