Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
plead (verb)intransitive verb
1.
to argue a case or cause in a court of law
2.
a) to make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding , especially to answer the previous of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts - pleading
b) to conduct - pleadings
3.
to make a plea of a specified nature - plead not guilty
4.
a) to argue for or against a claim
transitive verb
b) to entreat or appeal earnestly
1.
to maintain (as a case or cause) in a court of law or other tribunal
2.
to allege in or by way of a legal plea
3.
to offer as a plea usually in defense, apology, or excuse
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
plead (verb)to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration
SYNONIMS:
assert, contend, maintain, plead, reasonRELATED WORDS:
adduce, cite, mention; claim, insist; affirm, aver, avouch, avow; advance, give, offer, propose, submit; advise, counsel, recommend, suggest, urge; convince, persuade; advocate, champion, defend, enforce, espouse, support; explain, justify, rationalize; consider, debate, discuss; confute, counter, disprove, rebut, refuteto make a request for
SYNONIMS:
bespeak, call (for), desire, plead (for), quest, request, seek, solicit, speak (for), sue (for)RELATED WORDS:
apply (for), beg (for), claim, clamor (for), importune, urge, wish (for); demand, enjoin, exact, insist (on), petition (for), press (for), require, requisition; invite, invoketo make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner
SYNONIMS:
appeal (to), beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, importune, petition, plead (to), pray, solicit, supplicateRELATED WORDS:
bludge [], cadge, mooch, sponge; ask, desire, invoke, request, sue; claim, coerce, command, compel, demand, force, insist, requireNEAR ANTONYMS:
hint, imply, intimate, suggest; appease, conciliate, gratify, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, please, satisfy; comfort, console, content, quiet