plead for

VERB

advocate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

back campaign for defend encourage favor further justify press for promote propose push recommend support tout uphold urge

STRONG

advance advise bless bolster boost champion countenance plug side vindicate

WEAK

argue for be in corner brace up build up get on bandwagon give a leg up give a lift go for go to bat for go with hold with plump for ride shotgun for root for run interference for say so speak for spread around stump for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block conceal condemn deny disapprove discourage dissuade hide hinder hurt oppose refuse reject

STRONG

decrease halt prevent undermine

WEAK

assail attack criticize impugn protest

VERB

champion

Synonyms

STRONGEST

defend espouse fight for promote uphold

STRONG

back battle contend patronize support

WEAK

go to bat for put in a good word for ride shotgun for side with stand behind stand up for thump for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

forsake

STRONG

oppose

WEAK

be against

VERB

crave

Synonyms

STRONGEST

seek

STRONG

ask beseech demand entreat implore necessitate petition require solicit supplicate take

WEAK

call for pray for

Antonyms

STRONG

answer command give offer refuse reject reply

WEAK

abjure dislike hate not want spurn

VERB

maintain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advocate declare defend emphasize hold insist say stress uphold

STRONG

affirm allege asseverate attest aver avow back champion contend correct justify persist profess protest rectify report right state vindicate

WEAK

fight for stand by

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abandon attack deny desert forget forsake quit

STRONG

conceal give up leave repudiate

WEAK

condemn discard ignore neglect

VERB

support

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aid approve assist back bolster boost endorse establish help hold justify maintain promote side with uphold

STRONG

abet advance carry champion cheer comfort countenance forward foster second stay substantiate sustain verify

WEAK

agree with bear out boost morale get behind go along with go to bat for keep up pull for put forward rally round stand behind stand up for stick by stick up for take one's side take the part of throw in one's lot with throw in with

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block condemn decrease desert disapprove discourage halt hinder hurt injure invalidate obstruct oppose prevent reject stop undermine

STRONG

disprove impede

WEAK

contradict let down let go neglect refuse release

VERB

vindicate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absolve acquit corroborate defend disprove exonerate justify prove refute substantiate uphold

STRONG

advocate argue assert claim clear confute contend establish exculpate excuse extenuate free guard maintain protect rationalize rehabilitate second shield support warrant whitewash

WEAK

bear out disculpate do justice to free from blame

Antonyms

STRONGEST

blame charge condemn convict deny disprove incriminate prove sentence

STRONG

attack desert destroy forget hurt ignore neglect oppose reject ruin

WEAK

accuse punish

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many drivers, like Chinonso, keep their car air conditioning off to conserve fuel -- and "plead" for a tip from customers in return for switching it on.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

She then went on to plead for help in trying to find him and explained that she was worried about his welfare, adding Noah "has not been himself at all over the past week".

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026

That pushes refineries near bankruptcy and compels them to plead for exemptions, which anger the ethanol lobby.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

After the thirtieth consecutive month without rain, the townsfolk of San Francisco de Conchos in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua gather to plead for divine intervention.

From BBC • Jul. 13, 2025

She was going; as she had explained to her husband, in manner of a messenger, to plead for his pardon.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

plead for

Example Sentences

Related Words