Definition of plead - Reverso English Dictionary
Verb
1.
communicationtr. offer as an excuse or justificationtr.
- He pleaded illness to avoid the meeting.
2.
emotionintr. make an emotional appealintr.
- She plead for mercy in the courtroom..
3.
legalintr. TECH. declare guilt or innocence in courtintr. TECH.
- He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Expressions with plead
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assert financial hardship for sympathy
She would often plead poverty to gain sympathy from her friends.
ask someone very emotionally or seriously for something
She pleaded with him to stay.
avoid self-incrimination
He chose to plead the Fifth to avoid admitting guilt.
claim to not know something
He tried to plead ignorance when asked about the missing files.
make a strong request for something
She will plead my case for a raise to the manager.
ask earnestly for forgiveness or leniency
The prisoner pleaded for mercy before the judge.
formally say in court that you did not commit a crime
The defendant will plead not guilty at the hearing.
explain reasons or arguments to get support or understanding
She will plead her case before the committee tomorrow.
speak or argue in support of someone to help them
She pleaded his case to the teacher.
speak or argue in support of someone else
She pleaded his cause before the committee.
formal courtroom question asking a defendant for a guilty or not-guilty answer
The judge read the charges and asked, "How do you plead?"
admit to committing a crime in court
He decided to plead guilty to the charges.
claim to be insane to avoid responsibility
The defendant decided to plead insanity during the trial.
unable to participate in legal proceedings due to incapacity
The defendant was declared unfit to plead by the court.
ability to understand legal proceedings and communicate with counsel
The court assessed his fitness to plead before the trial.
invoke estoppel in a legal argument or case
The lawyer decided to plead estoppel during the trial.
Origin of plead
Old English, plaedian (to argue)
Terms with plead included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
urgent appeal
plead with someone for help, a favor, or mercy
support
plead in favor of a cause or idea
pleading
plead desperately to avoid punishment or harm
pleading
plead with someone for mercy or forgiveness
pleading
plead desperately for someone's favor or approval
advocacy
plead on someone else's behalf
relief
plead for relief from overwhelming circumstances
plea
used to plead for compassion or leniency
legal
plead guilty to seek a lighter sentence
pleading
used to plead or beg earnestly
plead humbly
plead with great humility
pleading
acting to plead on behalf of another
plead
ask earnestly or urgently for something
legal
plead against each other in court
Examples of plead in a sentence
They pleaded for more time to complete the task. He plead with his parents to let him go. The child plead for a second chance. The defendant will plead tomorrow in court. She decided to plead guilty to the lesser charge.
View all translations of plead
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:prétexter, supplier, ...
- German:vorschieben, flehen, ...
- Italian:addurre, supplicare, ...
- Spanish:alegar, suplicar, ...
- Portuguese:alegar, implorar, ...
- Chinese:以...为由, 恳求, ...
- Japanese:申し立てる, 懇願する, ...
- Arabic:اِحْتَجَّ, تَوَسَّلَ, ...
- Hebrew:לִטְעוֹן, לְהִתְחַנֵּן, ...
- Russian:ссылаться, умолять, ...
- Ukrainian:послатися на, благати, ...
- Hindi:बहाना बनाना, विनती करना, ...
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