plead

Meaning

1. To present (an argument or a plea), especially in a legal case.
2. To beg, beseech, or implore, especially emotionally.
3. To offer by way of excuse.
4. To discuss by arguments.

Synonyms

beg

entreat

beseech

implore

appeal

ask

petition

supplicate

pray

🛐

request

ask for

solicit

defend

argue

pretend

sue

advocate

plea

intercede

debate

declare

claim

adore

allege

answer

contend

discuss

maintain

profess

reply

respond

urge

worship

reason with

hold a brief

check

call on

defense

ask for something

discussion

draw

call

equal

exhort

feed back

field

fill

fold

give as an excuse

bespeak

importune

bear

🐻

invoke

litigate

request for

attract

argument

answer for

present

anoa

try a case

protect

protest

put in

refute

repay

conduct a case

represent

allure

act as an arbiter

return

see

👀

serve

sham

shield

🛡️

allege as excuse

stand for

alibi

admonish

take in charge

tap

beg hard

defend from

turn

ask earnestly

vindicate

wheedle

put up a plea

beg for

beg for mercy

come back

commend

complain

conjure

constrain

prevail upon

correspond

counter

countervail

translate

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pliːd/

Etymology

From Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaider (“to plead, offer a plea”), from plait, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc.", in Classical Latin, "an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placeō (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleitear (“to litigate, take to court”).