verb
plead
To make an earnest request or argument.
She pleads with her landlord for more time to pay.
Etymology
The older verb describes legal argument. Its wider use keeps the force of advocating a case, but applies it to any earnest request or appeal.
More examples
- The neighbors plead for a safer crossing near the school.
- He pleaded with us to give her another chance.
- She pleads the case for keeping the library open.
Forms
plead · pleads · pleaded · pled · pleading