Synonyms of plea

plea

noun

ˈplē 

1

as in appeal

an earnest request

the captive made an impassioned plea for his life to be spared

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appeal
• prayer
• petition
• pleading
• cry
• desire
• solicitation
• entreaty
• suit
• demand
• supplication
• application
• adjuration
• call
• insistence
• suppliance
• conjuration
• requisition
• claim

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

• excuse
• justification
• reason
• apology
• defense
• alibi
• rationale
• vindication
• pretext
• pretence
• confession
• rationalization
• acknowledgement
• out
• acknowledgment
• pretense
• guise
• atonement
• whitewash
• extenuation
• cop-out
• color
• palliation

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

Recent Examples of plea

The motive was not discussed at the plea hearing, but in 2023 prosecutors said a woman told police that Brown blamed Lattimore for having a miscarriage and talked about killing her and Nylo in retaliation. —Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025

In a proffer, a defendant usually provides information to prosecutors in exchange for a plea deal or leniency. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

Smith entered pleas of not guilty at the arraignment, CBS News and NBC Boston reported. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025

According to the plea agreements, Pughsley began operating a bookmaking organization at least 17 years ago. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025