pleading
ˈpliːdɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of pleading - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
emotional requestasking for something in a strong or emotional way
  • Her pleading moved everyone in the room.
appeal entreaty supplication
2.
legalTECH.formal statement in a court by a partyTECH.
  • The lawyer filed a pleading that outlined the defense's position..
answer complaint plea

Adjective

expressionshowing an intense emotional request
  • She gave him a pleading look.
beseeching imploring
Add a suggestion |

Expressions with pleading

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
emphasizing favorable aspects while ignoring unfavorable ones
Her special pleading ignored the project's failures.
plea made mainly to help oneself
He offered a pro domo pleading to protect his own interests.
legal statement supporting a claim
The lawyer submitted an affirmative pleading to the court.
legal strategy presenting multiple contradictory facts
The lawyer used alternative pleading to cover all bases.
legal document not meeting required standards
The court dismissed the case due to a defective pleading.
legal strategy presenting multiple claims or defenses
The lawyer used pleading in the alternative to strengthen the case.

Origin of pleading

Old English, pleadian (to plead)

Terms with pleading 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.
emotion
begging or pleading desperately for something
strong plea
pleading or begging earnestly
pleading
plead desperately to avoid punishment or harm
pleading
plead with someone for mercy or forgiveness
pleading voice
urgent, often loud appeal expressing extreme hopelessness and distress
facial expression
look with wide, pleading eyes to gain sympathy
pleading
plead desperately for someone's favor or approval
expression
pleading or beseeching look

Examples of pleading in a sentence

  • Her pleading for mercy softened the guard's stance.
  • The judge reviewed the pleading before making a decision.
  • Her pleading was crucial for the case's outcome.
  • His pleading eyes begged for forgiveness.
  • The child gave a pleading cry for help.

View all translations of pleading

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:supplication, suppliant, ...
  2. German:Flehen, flehend, ...
  3. Italian:supplica, implorante, ...
  4. Spanish:súplica, suplicante, ...
  5. Portuguese:súplica, suplicante, ...
  6. Chinese:恳求, 恳求的, ...
  7. Japanese:嘆願, 懇願するような, ...
  8. Arabic:توسل, مُتَوَسِّل, ...
  9. Hebrew:תַּחֲנוּנִים, מִתְחַנֵּן, ...
  10. Russian:мольба, умоляющий, ...
  11. Ukrainian:випрошування, благаючий, ...
  12. Hindi:विनती, विनती भरी, ...
plead
pliːd
pled

Definition of plead - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

1.
communicationtr.offer as an excuse or justificationtr.
  • He pleaded illness to avoid the meeting.
defend excuse justify
2.
emotionintr.make an emotional appealintr.
  • She plead for mercy in the courtroom..
beg beseech implore
3.
legalintr.TECH.declare guilt or innocence in courtintr.TECH.
  • He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
assert contest declare
Add a suggestion |

Expressions with plead

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
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.

Origin of plead

Old English, plaedian (to argue)

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.
  1. French:prétexter, supplier, ...
  2. German:vorschieben, flehen, ...
  3. Italian:addurre, supplicare, ...
  4. Spanish:alegar, suplicar, ...
  5. Portuguese:alegar, implorar, ...
  6. Chinese:以...为由, 恳求, ...
  7. Japanese:申し立てる, 懇願する, ...
  8. Arabic:اِحْتَجَّ, تَوَسَّلَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:לִטְעוֹן, לְהִתְחַנֵּן, ...
  10. Russian:ссылаться, умолять, ...
  11. Ukrainian:послатися на, благати, ...
  12. Hindi:बहाना बनाना, विनती करना, ...

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery