1
as in appeals
an earnest request
the captive made an impassioned plea for his life to be spared
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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
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Recent Examples of pleas
Through plenty of fan pleas, Cage was asked to return to star as the eponymous hero.
—
James Brizuela, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Despite Helly’s pleas to stay — for Irving, for her, for the greater good — his heartbreak is too much to bear.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Echeverria took Alexia to Southern California from Sacramento on May 26, 2019, refusing pleas from family members to bring her back, Ho’s office said.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 13 Mar. 2025
Three federal appeals courts have rejected the administration’s pleas, including one in Massachusetts on Tuesday.
—Mark Sherman and Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Not guilty pleas have been entered on his behalf and his trial is set to begin in August.
—Jean Casarez, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
White earlier pleaded guilty to some of the cases, but has since made an application to withdraw those pleas, the Bronx DA’s Office said.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
The interview comes days after Williams was unexpectedly taken to the hospital amid her pleas for help on Monday, March 10.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Time and again, corrections officers have raised their voices for support and necessary reforms, yet their pleas have gone unanswered.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
James Brizuela, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Despite Helly’s pleas to stay — for Irving, for her, for the greater good — his heartbreak is too much to bear.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Echeverria took Alexia to Southern California from Sacramento on May 26, 2019, refusing pleas from family members to bring her back, Ho’s office said.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 13 Mar. 2025
Three federal appeals courts have rejected the administration’s pleas, including one in Massachusetts on Tuesday.
—Mark Sherman and Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Not guilty pleas have been entered on his behalf and his trial is set to begin in August.
—Jean Casarez, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
White earlier pleaded guilty to some of the cases, but has since made an application to withdraw those pleas, the Bronx DA’s Office said.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
The interview comes days after Williams was unexpectedly taken to the hospital amid her pleas for help on Monday, March 10.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Time and again, corrections officers have raised their voices for support and necessary reforms, yet their pleas have gone unanswered.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleas. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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