plead Meaning & Definition
What Does Plead Mean?
Plead is used as a verb meaning to argue a case or cause in a court of law. It can also mean to make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding.
Plead: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈplēd/ |
| Synonyms | argue, assert and contend |
| Antonyms | hint, imply and intimate |
| Verb forms | pleads, pleading, pleaded |
Plead Definition (Verb)
- to argue a case or cause in a court of law
- to make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding
- to answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts
- to conduct pleadings
- to make a plea of a specified nature
How do you plead?
- to make a plea of guilty
agreed to plead to the lesser charge
- to argue for or against a claim
- to entreat or appeal earnestly
pleading for their lives
- to maintain (a case, a cause, etc.) in a court of law or other tribunal
- to allege in or by way of a legal plea
must plead and prove actual malice
- to offer as a plea usually in defense, apology, or excuse
cannot plead ignorance
Synonyms of Plead
Antonyms of Plead
Plead in a Sentence
The defendant has decided to plead not guilty.
He pleaded with me not to leave the house.
He was pleading for mercy.
Not wishing to attend the banquet, I pleaded illness.
It is no defence to plead that you were only obeying orders.
How do you plead?
agreed to plead to the lesser charge
pleading for their lives
must plead and prove actual malice
cannot plead ignorance
can I plead temporary insanity for having made that foolish decision?
the children pleaded for a kitten for Christmas
weary of charities that are always pleading to people of modest means to contribute even more than they already have
Word Forms & Grammar
plead·ed
pled
plead
plead·ing
plead·able adjective
plead·er noun
plead·ing·ly adverb
pleadable
pleaded
pleader
pleaders
pleading
pleadingly
pleads
plead (for)
plead for
plead (to)
plead to
plead (third-person singular simple present pleads, present participle pleading, simple past and past participle pleaded or (chiefly Canada, US, Scotland) pled or plead)
Words That Rhyme With Plead
Origin of Plead
Origin 1: Middle English plaiden, pleden "to contend legally, argue in court, bring suit, answer a charge," borrowed from Anglo-French plaider, pleider, pleder "to maintain (a plea), bring an action against" (also continental Old French), verbal derivative of plaid, plé "action at law, plea."
Origin 2: 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”).
First Known Use
13th centuryi
Plead: Your Questions Answered
What part of speech is plead?
Plead is a verb.
What is another word for plead?
Close synonyms of plead are argue, assert and contend. See the full list of plead synonyms and antonyms.
What is the past tense of plead?
The past tense of plead is pleaded. The present participle is pleading.