Thesaurus results for PLEA

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

plea

noun

ˈplē

Definition of plea

as in appeal

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

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 plea Following Miller’s and Young’s plea agreement, Missouri lawmakers were divided in their opinions on whether to change the sweeping stand-your-ground laws enacted in 2016. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 The Valkyries’ coaching staff’s pleas to the officiating crew for a flagrant foul call were not successful. — Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 When reached Friday, Melissa Ferrer declined to comment on the plea deal. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 Amid criticism of the plea deal from many families of the victims, the Biden administration withdrew the agreement, resulting in more litigation. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plea

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plea

Noun

His screen appeal combines a mix of swagger and self-deprecating, and at times evokes (a taller) Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Can Kushner’s billions of dollars and unlimited access deliver the kind of magnetic appeal that began with the Showtime Lakers in 1979?

— Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of appeal

Noun

Its rise also marks the beginning of the Hindu celebration of Pitru Paksha, during which worshippers perform rites to honor ancestors by offering prayers and food to past members of their families.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Until its revival as an everyday, spoken language in the modern state of Israel, it was mostly reserved for prayers and religious writings.

— Ilan Stavans, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of prayer

Noun

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni settlement agreement revealed Liman ultimately dismissed the suit and granted Lively's petition to have Baldoni foot the bill for attorneys costs and fees accrued during the proceedings.

— Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Keller school board candidate Barbara Brewer organized a petition drive against the project.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of petition

Noun

Salesforce and other software stocks have perked up over the past month, as sentiment around the group improved for a couple of reasons, including a Reuters report on take-private talks involving HR software provider Workday .

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
At face value, young men exercising should not be reason to sound the alarms, and yet there is something treacherous about men in their formative years placing physical beauty as the ultimate expression of self-actualization.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

Council members thanked Saunders for his apology and the censure item was approved by 4-1 vote, with Saunders as the only no vote.

— James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Golf club manufacturer Callaway has issued an extended apology for their part in the Good Good Golf advertisement which showed the latter’s male co-founder shoving a female employee to the ground.

— Gregg Evans, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of apology

Browse Nearby Words

plazas

plea

pleach

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“Plea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plea. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of plea

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