variants
or pled
also plead
as in argued
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration
can I plead temporary insanity for having made that foolish decision?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pleaded
In assessing a life prison term for DeAujalae Evans, the jury selected the most severe penalty for intoxication manslaughter causing the death of a peace officer, the offense to which Evan pleaded guilty as the jury began to hear evidence in the case of the death of Sgt.
—
Emerson Clarridge
updated March 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Woods pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court in October 2025 to one count of fraud in connection with a major disaster or emergency benefits.
—City News Service, Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies any wrongdoing.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 30 Mar. 2026
On Monday, David Contreras, 53, pleaded guilty to killing his son, Eric, a 23-year-old construction management student at Florida International University.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
McCray pleaded guilty to killing her in 2023 and was sentenced to a 40-year prison term.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Roybal‑Smith took a deal and pleaded guilty to two charges of second-degree murder in the Aurora stabbings, which dropped two counts of first-degree murder, according to Adams County court records.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The student had pleaded no contest to assault with intent to do great bodily harm, according to the prosecutor's office.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Timberlake was arrested June 18, 2024, on Long Island and pleaded guilty to driving while impaired.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Emerson Clarridge
updated March 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Woods pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court in October 2025 to one count of fraud in connection with a major disaster or emergency benefits.
—City News Service, Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies any wrongdoing.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 30 Mar. 2026
On Monday, David Contreras, 53, pleaded guilty to killing his son, Eric, a 23-year-old construction management student at Florida International University.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
McCray pleaded guilty to killing her in 2023 and was sentenced to a 40-year prison term.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Roybal‑Smith took a deal and pleaded guilty to two charges of second-degree murder in the Aurora stabbings, which dropped two counts of first-degree murder, according to Adams County court records.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The student had pleaded no contest to assault with intent to do great bodily harm, according to the prosecutor's office.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Timberlake was arrested June 18, 2024, on Long Island and pleaded guilty to driving while impaired.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleaded
Verb
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And former President John Quincy Adams, who was then serving in the House, argued the Amistad case before the high court in 1841.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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City managers from both cities argued that the regulations were implemented without adequate consideration of the financial consequences for local governments.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The judge reasoned in her January 2024 ruling that the company’s directors were too beholden to Musk.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
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On that front, the NCAA came up short, Pratt reasoned.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One of Aguirre’s trial attorneys, Michael Sklar, contended that Fernandez was the one who hit the boy with a belt, shot him with a BB gun and was responsible for much of the abuse prior to his death.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Maduro lawyer Barry Pollack contended that if Maduro got public defenders, the complex case would sap legal resources meant for people who can't afford their own attorneys.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Nowadays, the two positions blur together, but his father, Troy, and Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo insisted his aspirations were to be on the ball.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Shaban, an hour into his testimony, insisted again to Doucette that he was never charged with a crime.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleaded. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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