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 next

as in appeal

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Baldonado changed his plea in August 2023 and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and a felony assault charge, while his mother was taken into custody. —

Sean Neumann, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025 Palm Beach County court records show she was charged in 2022 with one count of aggravated manslaughter of a child, and a plea conference hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11. —

Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025 In other instances, prosecutors might quietly dismiss a criminal case before troubling conduct by law enforcement draws attention or reach a plea deal before Fourth Amendment issues are resolved. —

Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025 Prosecutors didn’t offer Depa a plea deal to reduce his potential sentence. —

Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for plea

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plea

Noun

The case was dismissed after the judge learned that the prosecution had failed to turn over key evidence; Baldwin was officially cleared in December when the special prosecutor withdrew her appeal of that dismissal.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
In times of intensifying economic inequality, when many of the jobs on offer are precarious, underpaid, and spiritually deadening, the prospect of becoming your own boss holds a lot of appeal.

— Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025