Meaning
The verb plead means to make an emotional request or appeal, or to state something formally in a court of law. It can express both everyday emotional appeals and technical legal statements.
Grammar and Usage
- Part of speech: Verb
- Forms: plead – pleaded/pled – pleaded/pled
- Transitive/Intransitive: Can be both.
Common patterns:
- plead with sb (to do sth) = to beg someone earnestly.
- plead for sth = to ask for something with urgency or emotion.
- plead guilty / not guilty = to formally state one’s position in court.
- plead ignorance = to claim not to know about something.
Common Phrases
- plead guilty/not guilty
- plead for mercy
- plead with someone
- plead ignorance
Collocations
- plead guilty / innocent
- plead for help / leniency / understanding
- plead a case
- plead with the judge
Examples
- She pleaded with her parents to let her go to the party.
- The lawyer advised his client to plead guilty.
- He pleaded for mercy after committing the crime.
- The charity pleaded for more donations to support the victims.
- She pleaded ignorance when asked about the missing documents.
- The suspect pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- The teacher pleaded with the students to stay quiet.
- The organization pleaded for international aid after the disaster.
Synonyms or Related
- beg
- implore
- appeal
- request
- petition
- supplicate