Plead
verb
To ask for something desperately.
I plead for mercy.
Often appears as...
- plead guilty
- plead for mercy
verb
To state in a court of law whether you are guilty or not guilty of a crime.
He decided to plead guilty to the charges.
Often appears as...
- plead guilty
- plead not guilty
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
verb
To argue or make a case in favor of someone or something, especially in court.
His lawyer will plead his case in court tomorrow.
Often appears as...
- plead a case
- plead a cause
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
verb
To use as a reason or excuse.
She decided to plead ignorance when asked about the missing money.
Often appears as...
- plead ignorance
- plead innocence
verb
To ask for something desperately.
I plead for mercy.
Often appears as...
- plead guilty
- plead for mercy
verb
To state in a court of law whether you are guilty or not guilty of a crime.
He decided to plead guilty to the charges.
Often appears as...
- plead guilty
- plead not guilty
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
verb
To argue or make a case in favor of someone or something, especially in court.
His lawyer will plead his case in court tomorrow.
Often appears as...
- plead a case
- plead a cause
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
verb
To use as a reason or excuse.
She decided to plead ignorance when asked about the missing money.
Often appears as...
- plead ignorance
- plead innocence
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Desperate Request
Use 'plead' to express urgent or passionate requests that show you're in a serious or dire situation.
The hostages plead for a chance to call their families.
Pro Tip 2/2Emotional Weight
'Plead' conveys a strong emotional tone, more than simply asking or requesting.
She plead with her eyes welling up in tears.
Pro Tip 1/2Desperate Request
Use 'plead' to express urgent or passionate requests that show you're in a serious or dire situation.
The hostages plead for a chance to call their families.
Pro Tip 2/2Emotional Weight
'Plead' conveys a strong emotional tone, more than simply asking or requesting.
She plead with her eyes welling up in tears.
Pro Tip 1/2Desperate Request
Use 'plead' to express urgent or passionate requests that show you're in a serious or dire situation.
The hostages plead for a chance to call their families.
Pro Tip 2/2Emotional Weight
'Plead' conveys a strong emotional tone, more than simply asking or requesting.
She plead with her eyes welling up in tears.
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Video examples
Crocodile Attack In Slow...
cocktails the world and we said we wanted to film crocodiles pleading yeah and you've got a few things in mind fifty we do we're gonna start with some small ones first and these are our Nile crocodiles which we're gonna begin with so today we're going to be feeding the crocodiles some pork and also some rats rats very nice favorite of these crocodiles so these guys might look
Video examples
3 thoughtful ways to...
But the city didn't yell at people. It didn't plead with them not to use water. They used electronic billboards to flash available levels of water to all citizens across the city. They were honestly telling people how much water they really have, and letting them take responsibility for themselves.
Video examples
Praising slowness - Carl...
conceived of a generation ago and some of the most heart-rending emails that I get on my website are actually from adolescents hovering on the edge of burnout pleading with me to write to their parents to help them slow down to help them get
Video examples
Carl Honore: In praise...
And some of the most heartrending emails that I get on my website are actually from adolescents hovering on the edge of burnout, pleading with me to write to their parents, to help them slow down, to help them get off this
Video examples
Paul Tudor Jones II: Why...
I'm not against progress. I want the driverless car and the jet pack just like everyone else. But I'm pleading for recognition that with increased wealth and profits has to come greater corporate social responsibility.
Video examples
Ghanaian Witches PIPE...
had lived here her entire life now she could lose everything Santa pleaded that she had done nothing so the aggrieved family turned to the ultimate arbiter in such matters the fetish priests after offering libations
Video examples
Witches of Ghana PIPE...
had lived here her entire life now she could lose everything Santa pleaded that she had done nothing so the aggrieved family turned to the ultimate arbiter in such matters the fetish priests after offering libations
Video examples
Free Love PIPE National...
and have friends plead his case I mean giba is quite a decent person a good man he respects his elders I look as if I mean everyone let's agree to this while their elders debated the couple kept
Video examples
What if we ended the...
So you do what anybody would do in that situation. You plead guilty whether you did it or not. But now you have a criminal record that's going to follow you for the rest of your life.
Video examples
An update on BMI PIPE...
absolutely no sense for an otherwise fit and healthy person to not receive the care they need so after pleading his
Video examples
Crocodile Attack In Slow...
cocktails the world and we said we wanted to film crocodiles pleading yeah and you've got a few things in mind fifty we do we're gonna start with some small ones first and these are our Nile crocodiles which we're gonna begin with so today we're going to be feeding the crocodiles some pork and also some rats rats very nice favorite of these crocodiles so these guys might look
Video examples
3 thoughtful ways to...
But the city didn't yell at people. It didn't plead with them not to use water. They used electronic billboards to flash available levels of water to all citizens across the city. They were honestly telling people how much water they really have, and letting them take responsibility for themselves.
Video examples
Praising slowness - Carl...
conceived of a generation ago and some of the most heart-rending emails that I get on my website are actually from adolescents hovering on the edge of burnout pleading with me to write to their parents to help them slow down to help them get
Video examples
Carl Honore: In praise...
And some of the most heartrending emails that I get on my website are actually from adolescents hovering on the edge of burnout, pleading with me to write to their parents, to help them slow down, to help them get off this
Video examples
Paul Tudor Jones II: Why...
I'm not against progress. I want the driverless car and the jet pack just like everyone else. But I'm pleading for recognition that with increased wealth and profits has to come greater corporate social responsibility.
Video examples
Ghanaian Witches PIPE...
had lived here her entire life now she could lose everything Santa pleaded that she had done nothing so the aggrieved family turned to the ultimate arbiter in such matters the fetish priests after offering libations
Video examples
Witches of Ghana PIPE...
had lived here her entire life now she could lose everything Santa pleaded that she had done nothing so the aggrieved family turned to the ultimate arbiter in such matters the fetish priests after offering libations
Video examples
Free Love PIPE National...
and have friends plead his case I mean giba is quite a decent person a good man he respects his elders I look as if I mean everyone let's agree to this while their elders debated the couple kept
Video examples
What if we ended the...
So you do what anybody would do in that situation. You plead guilty whether you did it or not. But now you have a criminal record that's going to follow you for the rest of your life.
Video examples
An update on BMI PIPE...
absolutely no sense for an otherwise fit and healthy person to not receive the care they need so after pleading his
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Patrick deWitt
Canadian Novelist
I've been surprised at how much an unknown like myself can accomplish just by reaching out to people and pleading my case. Quotes for the book cover, reviews and interviews, readings and radio appearances - all this by simply moving ahead and making contact with folks I thought might enjoy the writing.
Quote examples
James McGreevey
American Politician
We need to have a purpose in this life. I'm pleading with you, I'm begging with you to do the right thing. And do it not for the sake of how it will impact your own lives, but only for the sake of doing the right thing.
Quote examples
Michelle Obama
American First Lady
Sometimes, it's just easier to say yes to that extra snack or dessert, because frankly, it is exhausting to keep saying no. It's exhausting to plead with our kids to eat just one more bite of vegetables.
Quote examples
Friedrich August von Hayek
Austrian Economist
Why should we, however, in economics, have to plead ignorance of the sort of facts on which, in the case of a physical theory, a scientist would certainly be expected to give precise information?
Quote examples
Marine Le Pen
French Politician
France always had this balanced position that in so many conflicts was the voice of peace. I intend to maintain that. De Gaulle was pleading for a multipolar world.
Quote examples
Hillary Clinton
American Politician
Now, look, I - I like to look at evidence. I plead to that. I think evidence is important when you're making decisions that affect other people's lives.
Quote examples
Lucy Stone
American Activist
I expect to plead not for the slave only, but for suffering humanity everywhere. Especially do I mean to labor for the elevation of my sex.
Quote examples
Frank Reynolds
American Journalist
I think your program has to reflect what your basic feelings are. I'll plead guilty to that.
Quote examples
Sean Patrick Flanery
American Actor
The best films in the world, you've got to beg and plead and try your best to get.
Quote examples
Bruno Mars
American Musician
I definitely don't plead guilty to being a heartthrob.
Quote examples
Patrick deWitt
Canadian Novelist
I've been surprised at how much an unknown like myself can accomplish just by reaching out to people and pleading my case. Quotes for the book cover, reviews and interviews, readings and radio appearances - all this by simply moving ahead and making contact with folks I thought might enjoy the writing.
Quote examples
James McGreevey
American Politician
We need to have a purpose in this life. I'm pleading with you, I'm begging with you to do the right thing. And do it not for the sake of how it will impact your own lives, but only for the sake of doing the right thing.
Quote examples
Michelle Obama
American First Lady
Sometimes, it's just easier to say yes to that extra snack or dessert, because frankly, it is exhausting to keep saying no. It's exhausting to plead with our kids to eat just one more bite of vegetables.
Quote examples
Friedrich August von Hayek
Austrian Economist
Why should we, however, in economics, have to plead ignorance of the sort of facts on which, in the case of a physical theory, a scientist would certainly be expected to give precise information?
Quote examples
Marine Le Pen
French Politician
France always had this balanced position that in so many conflicts was the voice of peace. I intend to maintain that. De Gaulle was pleading for a multipolar world.
Quote examples
Hillary Clinton
American Politician
Now, look, I - I like to look at evidence. I plead to that. I think evidence is important when you're making decisions that affect other people's lives.
Quote examples
Lucy Stone
American Activist
I expect to plead not for the slave only, but for suffering humanity everywhere. Especially do I mean to labor for the elevation of my sex.
Quote examples
Frank Reynolds
American Journalist
I think your program has to reflect what your basic feelings are. I'll plead guilty to that.
Quote examples
Sean Patrick Flanery
American Actor
The best films in the world, you've got to beg and plead and try your best to get.
Quote examples
Bruno Mars
American Musician
I definitely don't plead guilty to being a heartthrob.
Example 1 of 10
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