plead
[verb]
Synonyms: appeal, ask, beg, beseech, entreat, implore, petition, request

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

plead /pliːd/ verb
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: plaidier, from plaid; ⇒ plea]

1. [intransitive and transitive] to ask for something that you want very much, in a sincere and emotional way Synonym : beg:
‘Don’t go!’ Robert pleaded.
plead for
Civil rights groups pleaded for government help.
plead with somebody (to do something)
Moira pleaded with him to stay.

2. (past tense and past participle pleaded also pled /pled/ especially American English) [intransitive, transitive not in passive] law to state in a court of law whether or not you are guilty of a crime
plead guilty/not guilty/innocent
Henderson pled guilty to burglary.

3. (past tense and past participle pleaded also pled American English)plead ignorance/illness/insanity etc formal to give a particular excuse for your actions:
She stayed home from work, pleading illness.

4. [transitive] written to give reasons why you think something is true or why something should be done
plead that
Managers pleaded that there was not enough time to make the changes.
Residents successfully pleaded their case at a council meeting.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

plead
verb
I. ask sb for sth in a very serious way
ADV. almost She was almost pleading with him.
silently | successfully She successfully pleaded their cause with the mayor.
PREP. for They pleaded for mercy.
with His eyes silently pleaded with her.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

plead
II. say that you are guilty/not guilty
PHRASES plead guilty/not guilty He pleaded not guilty to the murder.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲