as in to argue
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
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Recent Examples of plead
Andrew Lester, the Kansas City man accused in the high-profile shooting of Ralph Yarl, the teen who mistakenly went to the door of his Northland home in 2023, pleaded guilty Friday to a lesser charge of second-degree assault.
—
Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
Two people familiar with the case who requested anonymity to speak in advance of Friday’s hearing told AP that Lester will plead guilty.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Her last August after Edwards, once the highest-profile news anchor in the country, pleaded guilty to accessing child abuse images.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
Soultz pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Dec. 6; she will be sentenced Feb. 11, according to the release.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for plead 
Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
Two people familiar with the case who requested anonymity to speak in advance of Friday’s hearing told AP that Lester will plead guilty.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Her last August after Edwards, once the highest-profile news anchor in the country, pleaded guilty to accessing child abuse images.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
Soultz pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Dec. 6; she will be sentenced Feb. 11, according to the release.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for plead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plead
Verb
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First, the firm argues that the company’s intrinsic value has been obscured by its inefficient conglomerate structure, resulting in it trading in line with its lowest multiple refining segment despite a majority of EBITDA coming from its other premium businesses.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2025
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While it can be argued that the 20th century was defined by long-term employment and prioritizing a sense of stability, the modern landscape—carved in large by younger generations—revolves around personal fulfillment, work-life balance, and a sense of belonging.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, contends that the new policy is spreading fear of raids, thus lowering attendance at worship services and other valuable church programs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
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Trump contends his proxies must be allowed to hunt for waste, fraud and abuse within the executive branch.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The judge also reasoned that Ciulla-Hall has not established a likelihood the NCAA and its member schools violated antitrust law by denying his eligibility.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2025
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So the team reasoned that Zipf’s law of frequency might appear not just in humans but also anywhere else sequential vocal signals are culturally learned (transmitted from one individual to another).—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But not everyone was convinced by the kind gesture.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
7 Feb. 2025
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Saka had made just 33 appearances by the time the UK Covid lockdown hit in 2020, but New Balance was convinced by his character and that the soon-to-be England international would be the right fit.—
Art de Roché,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Stynes has long insisted that the optimal snow conditions must be chased.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2025
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After the canopy at Novi Sad railway station collapsed in November, Mr. Vucic initially insisted that the structure had not been part of the renovation work.—
Andrew Higgins,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The senator asserted that five years after winning World War II, the U.S. was losing around the globe, locked in a struggle with communism that seemed destined to end in nuclear conflict.—
Made by History,
TIME,
9 Feb. 2025
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Similarly, the challengers in the ICE enforcement case assert that DHS was required to, but did not, explain its change after 30 years of congregants relying on places of worship as a refuge from ICE operations.—
Christina Gatti,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Plead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plead. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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