pleas

noun

plural of plea
1
as in appeals
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 excuses
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame my only plea is that I've been overworked lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pleas Shili Chen and her husband Shouyong Zhang, both 77, appeared in court briefly to ask the judge for more time before entering formal pleas. — ABC News, 1 Oct. 2026 The pleas follow a new California law restricting brokers from reselling tee times at public courses. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 From afar, Lee’s books can be viewed as pleas to see Asians as complex. — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026 Charitable agencies are being overwhelmed with pleas for alms because there is too much real wealth in the country. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 After the undisputed killers plead insanity, doctors for the left-wing prosecutor and the defense often back their claims, judges approve the pleas, and the acquittees submit to annual reviews assessing whether the state should release them. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026 More is surely going on, undetected or unreported, even as there has been a minor online symphony of whistle-blowing, alarm-bell tolling, and pleas for legislative action. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 Hosfelt's $50 fine is the lightest sentence any of the former staffers who entered pleas have received. — Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Costco shared the news in an Instagram Reel featuring customers’ pleas to bring back the sweet treat. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleas
  1. appeals
  2. excuses
  3. prayers
  4. justifications
  5. petitions
  6. reasons
Noun
  • The appeals panel also vacated convictions stemming from accusations that Wahhaj and his brother-in-law were preparing for attacks against the government.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson was able to avoid a fine worth $13,611 that was handed down by the NFL through some creative defendant work in an NFL appeals process.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of appeals
Noun
  • The rules, which are never explained, are put there as flimsy excuses for aspects of the pilot that don’t hold together otherwise.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Only to see them, after winning elections, get strong-armed by the party, then offer lame excuses as to why.
    — Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of excuses
Noun
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with the detective for a speedy recovery.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kim, and the entire Franchione family.
    — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of prayers
Noun
  • Catch and eliminate personal excuses, justifications, or peer comparisons.
    — Brendan Keegan, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Despite such justifications, these cuts, closures and layoffs have caused morale to plummet at Goddard, some current workers say, and have left management increasingly disconnected from the research center’s day-to-day operations.
    — Eric Niiler, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of justifications
Noun
  • Scores of additional online petitions have been created in recent days.
    — Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In petitions for restraining orders filed last year, the couple accused each other of physical, emotional and psychological abuse going back more than a decade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of petitions
Noun
  • They were found to sharply increase how long people continued to engage, but often for reasons of anger and curiosity, rather than enjoyment.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Activated by eminent domain Cook, an insurance agent living in Sugarloaf Township next door, has her own reasons to oppose the data center project.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of reasons

Browse Nearby Words

plead (to)
pleas
pleasance
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Cite this Entry

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

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