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 At least 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain poured down overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River and leading to desperate pleas for information about the missing. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 4 July 2025 In January, Kasey Noel was sentenced to nine months in custody and 51 months of probation for theft and tax evasion charges following her own plea agreement. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025 Villar entered the plea in a brief court hearing with no further comments. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025 After declining to take a plea deal from prosecutors, Combs went to trial last month and could go to prison for the rest of his life if convicted on all counts. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 24 June 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
  • The appeal will also involve an oral argument during which attorneys for the NFL and NFLPA field questions from the panel.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025
  • Additionally, weaker interest rates often result in a softer U.S. dollar, enhancing the appeal of alternative stores of value.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of appeal
Noun
  • For the artist, every appearance is an excuse to adorn herself with beautiful pieces.
    — Jessica Scemama, Glamour, 6 July 2025
  • National French Fry Day is observed on July 11, and this is a great excuse to try fries in some unexpected and delicious new ways.
    — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • Our hearts and prayers go out to our friends and all those affected in Texas!
    — Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Monday’s filing was the product of a lawsuit filed in Texas in September 2024 on behalf of the National Religious Broadcasters, an international association of evangelical Christian communicators, as well as Intercessors for America, a conservative Christian prayer advocacy group.
    — Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 9 July 2025
Definition of prayer
Noun
  • The legal justification is mainly based on not exposing neighbors to secondhand smoke.
    — Phillip Molnar, Oc Register, 7 July 2025
  • The story posted yesterday about Adam and Tatis joining Manny Machado as All-Stars, includes some justification for Tatis being an All-Star despite his struggles the past two-plus months.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
Definition of justification
Noun
  • Now more than 200 people have signed a petition seeking reinstatement of the class, Matson Tanner said, adding that the community did this entirely on its own.
    — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
  • Over 17,000 people also signed a petition set up to campaign for her removal from Love Island season 7.
    — Latoya Gayle, People.com, 7 July 2025
Definition of petition
Noun
  • There’s a reason Mexico is one of the most coveted destinations to visit in Latin America—and why the best hotels in Mexico City are an excellent place to start immersing yourself in the culture.
    — Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 13 July 2025
  • But there’s an obvious reason the hotel keeps the interiors somewhat understated.
    — Hannah Freedman, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
Definition of reason
Noun
  • Authorities are investigating videos that reportedly show one of the two New Orleans jail escapees still at large pleading for help from President Trump, reality star Kim Kardashian and rappers Meek Mill and Lil Wayne, among others.
    — Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 3 June 2025
  • If there has been no notice of claim disallowance in a refund case, the qualified offer period begins on the date on which the answer or other responsive pleading is filed with the court.
    — Guinevere Moore, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of pleading
Noun
  • How bosses should apologize Wilson's statement had several elements of an effective apology.
    — Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 7 July 2025
  • Escobar later issued an apology and addressed the allegations on Instagram.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 July 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 18 Jul. 2025.

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