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Plead vs. Plea — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 20, 2024
"Plead" is a verb describing the act of making a formal statement in court or an earnest request, whereas "plea" is a noun referring to the request or appeal itself.
Plead vs. Plea — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Plead and Plea

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Key Differences

"Plead" involves the action of presenting a case in a legal setting or earnestly requesting something, highlighting its role as a dynamic verb. On the other hand, "plea" serves as the expression of this request or appeal, functioning as a static noun.
When someone pleads, they are actively engaging in the process of making their case to an authority or individual, typically in a legal or urgent context. Whereas a plea is the actual content or substance of what is being argued or requested.
Legal documents often use "plead" to describe the formal declarations made by parties in court. In contrast, these documents refer to "plea" as the specific appeal or request made, such as a plea of not guilty.
In everyday language, to plead can also mean to beseech or implore in a deeply personal or emotional manner. On the other hand, a plea in everyday usage often conveys a strong, heartfelt request for help or mercy.
The process of pleading can occur in various situations ranging from courts to personal appeals for assistance. Whereas, a plea, though it can be made in similar contexts, specifically refers to the request itself, not the action.
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Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Verb
Noun

Usage in Legal Context

Action of arguing a case or making a request
Formal declaration or specific request made

Emotional Connotation

Can express earnestness or desperation
Typically denotes urgency or a heartfelt need

Example in Legal Document

"The defendant will plead not guilty."
"The defendant entered a plea of not guilty."

General Use

"He pleaded for more time."
"His plea for more time was denied."

Compare with Definitions

Plead

To appeal for something on emotional grounds.
He pleaded with them to reconsider their decision.

Plea

An urgent request for help or mercy.
Her plea for help was heard by the passersby.

Plead

To make an urgent request in a formal or emotional setting.
She pleaded for mercy during the trial.

Plea

A statement in which one defends or justifies something.
His plea for understanding was moving.

Plead

To claim something formally in a court of law.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Plea

An appeal to someone's feelings or principles.
He made a heartfelt plea to the crowd.

Plead

To present a case in law as a lawyer or defendant.
The attorney will plead the case before the jury.

Plea

A basis for an argument or case in legal terms.
The plea of self-defense was accepted.

Plead

To argue or advocate strongly for something.
She pleaded for stricter pollution controls.

Plea

A formal request made in a court of law.
His plea of innocence was ignored.

Plead

To appeal earnestly; beg
Plead for more time.

Plea

In legal terms, a plea is simply an answer to a claim made by someone in a criminal case under common law using the adversarial system. Colloquially, a plea has come to mean the assertion by a defendant at arraignment, or otherwise in response to a criminal charge, whether that person pleaded or pled guilty, not guilty, nolo contendere (a.k.a.

Plead

To offer reasons for or against something; argue earnestly
Plead against a bill.

Plea

A request made in an urgent and emotional manner
He made a dramatic plea for disarmament

Plead

To provide an argument or appeal
Your youth pleads for you in this instance.

Plea

A formal statement by or on behalf of a defendant or prisoner, stating guilt or innocence in response to a charge, offering an allegation of fact, or claiming that a point of law should apply
He changed his plea to not guilty

Plead

(Law) To respond to a criminal charge
Plead guilty.

Plea

An earnest request; an appeal
Spoke out in a plea for greater tolerance.

Plead

To assert as defense, vindication, or excuse; claim as a plea
Plead illness as the reason for his absence.

Plea

An excuse; a pretext
"[The] colonel ... hid first behind a stump and then worked his way to the rear on the plea of a sore back" (William Marvel).

Plead

To specify (a cause of action or defense)
Plead a First Amendment claim.

Plea

The defendant's answer to a formal criminal charge
Entered a plea of not guilty.

Plead

To set forth in a pleading
Plead that plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the breach of contract.

Plea

A defendant's answer in a civil action.

Plead

To present (an argument or a plea), especially in a legal case.
The defendant has decided to plead not guilty.

Plea

A special answer in an equity action, setting forth in lieu of a detailed response a basis for dismissing, delaying, or barring the suit.

Plead

(intransitive) To beg, beseech, or implore, especially emotionally.
He pleaded with me not to leave the house.
He was pleading for mercy.

Plea

A legal proceeding.

Plead

(transitive) To offer by way of excuse.
Not wishing to attend the banquet, I pleaded illness.
It is no defence to plead that you were only obeying orders.

Plea

An appeal, petition, urgent prayer or entreaty.
A plea for mercy
Make a plea

Plead

(transitive) To discuss by arguments.

Plea

An excuse; an apology.

Plead

To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father.
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!

Plea

That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification.

Plead

To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense, to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry on a suit or plea.

Plea

(legal) That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause.

Plead

To contend; to struggle.

Plea

(legal) An allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer.

Plead

To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having uthority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury.
Every man should plead his own matter.

Plea

(legal) The defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s declaration and demand.

Plead

To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as, to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead not guilty.

Plea

(legal) A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas.

Plead

To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vendication; to offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in excuse of faults.

Plea

To plead; to argue.

Plead

Appeal or request earnestly;
I pleaded with him to stop

Plea

That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause; in a stricter sense, an allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer; in a still more limited sense, and in modern practice, the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's declaration and demand. That which the plaintiff alleges in his declaration is answered and repelled or justified by the defendant's plea. In chancery practice, a plea is a special answer showing or relying upon one or more things as a cause why the suit should be either dismissed, delayed, or barred. In criminal practice, the plea is the defendant's formal answer to the indictment or information presented against him.

Plead

Offer as an excuse or plea;
She was pleading insanity

Plea

A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas. See under Common.
The Supreme Judicial Court shall have cognizance of pleas real, personal, and mixed.

Plead

Enter a plea, as in courts of law;
She pleaded not guilty

Plea

That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification; an excuse; an apology.
No plea must serve; 't is cruelty to spare.

Plead

Make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, especially answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts

Plea

An urgent prayer or entreaty.

Plea

A humble request for help from someone in authority

Plea

(law) a defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer)

Plea

An answer indicating why a suit should be dismissed

Common Curiosities

Can both terms be used interchangeably?

No, due to their parts of speech; "plead" is a verb and "plea" is a noun, so they serve different grammatical purposes.

What is the main difference between plead and plea?

"Plead" is a verb involving the action of making a request, whereas "plea" is a noun that refers to the request itself.

Is a 'plea' always legal?

No, while often used in legal contexts, "plea" can also refer to any earnest request or appeal in general speech.

What types of pleas can be entered in a legal context?

In a legal setting, common types of pleas include guilty, not guilty, and no contest. Each type of plea has specific legal implications and is used based on the strategy or agreement with the prosecution.

How does the emotional connotation differ between plead and plea?

"Plead" often carries a sense of urgency or desperation, while "plea" indicates a deep, sometimes emotional appeal for help or understanding.

Are there cultural variations in how pleading is perceived?

Yes, cultural perceptions of pleading can vary significantly. In some cultures, pleading may be seen as a sign of weakness, while in others, it is viewed as a respectful way to express sincerity and earnestness.

Can "plead" be used in a passive voice, and how does it affect its meaning?

"Plead" can be used in the passive voice, such as in "guilty was pleaded by the defendant." This construction shifts the focus from the subject to the action or the object, possibly altering the perceived agency or emphasis in a sentence.

How does the complexity of a plea influence a legal case?

The complexity of a plea, such as a plea bargain, can significantly affect the outcome of a legal case. A well-negotiated plea can lead to reduced charges or sentencing, whereas a simple plea might result in a straightforward judicial decision.

Can 'plead' be used outside of legal contexts?

Yes, "plead" can be used in any context where someone makes an earnest request or appeal.

What role does tone play in delivering a plea in non-legal contexts?

The tone in which a plea is delivered can greatly influence its effectiveness. A sincere, heartfelt tone can elicit sympathy and cooperation, whereas a demanding or insincere tone might lead to resistance or disbelief.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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