pleads

verb

present tense third-person singular of plead
as in argues
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 pleads Depp’s character pleads for help to save her husband from his curse. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026 Ryan plays Carla Russo, a veteran nurse at Yale Fertility Center who pleads guilty to diverting vast amounts of fentanyl and diluting it with saline, forcing many patients to endure egg-retrieval surgery without anesthesia. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026 Woman pleads not guilty to jury intimidation In a nearby courtroom, the impetus for the dramatic jury questions appeared in the same courthouse as the jury began its fifth day of deliberations. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong pleads guilty to conspiracy to endanger national security. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Social media erupts over cancellation, pleads to Mamdani Since the cancellation was announced, social media was inundated with posts in support of the show, with some even reaching out to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to intervene and save it. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 But what Angel City really needs now are different results, because another losing record and another season without a playoff trip won’t be seen as a sign of progress no matter how much Parsons pleads for patience. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Rather than attacking the other woman, Parton pleads with her and openly acknowledges her beauty. — Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 25 Aug. 2026 In one shot captured on video, a victim appears to crouch down with his hands up and apparently pleads for their life, Philadelphia Police Capt. — Kelsie Cairns , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleads
  1. argues
  2. contends
  3. reasons
  4. insists
  5. asserts
Verb
  • Ideas expressed in the piece The article argues that the rollback favors automakers and the oil industry over consumers, public health and the climate.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Chidgasornpongse argues that capitalist accumulation can persist even within such sacred walls.
    — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of argues
Verb
  • Her parents' lawsuit contends the military did not sign off on the work; the soldiers were freelancing as security guards to make some extra money on the side.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Thursday’s lawsuit contends that the administration simply made the change on its own without giving proper notice.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of contends
Verb
  • The consultant reasons by filling a notebook with calculations, then hands you a one-sentence answer, and keeps the notebook.
    — Adam Fish, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • How the Fed reasons its way to agreements is as important as the agreements.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2026
Definition of reasons
Verb
  • Sakol insists the merit-making should be organized around the number nine, which represents good fortune in Thai culture.
    — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Picking up right where the previous episode left off, this one starts with River and Sid in a retro-’80s bowling alley looking for a pay phone because Sid still insists on getting in contact with Diana Taverner.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of insists
Verb
  • Moreover, a broad cross section of the Israeli public asserts that Palestinians are not interested in compromise or peace.
    — Michael Robbins, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The American Kratom Association, an industry lobbying group, asserts that it is regulated under a looser dietary supplement law.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of asserts

Browse Nearby Words

pleading (to)
pleads
pleads (for)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pleads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleads. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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