plead
verb (used without object)
to appeal or entreat earnestly.
were pleading
-
past progressiveof plead.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
All the while, chefs, culinary historians and industry observers were pleading for Americans to embrace poultry’s dark side.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026
The GMB Union said that retailers were "pleading poverty".
From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2025
Additionally, studio executives didn’t want to host fancy donor gatherings or write big checks while they were pleading poverty during bargaining with actors and writers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2023
And many were pleading for basic resources from Mexico’s leaders.
From New York Times ● Oct. 28, 2023
“Oppenheimer and I were pleading with General Groves that there had to be a test because the whole scheme was so uncertain. But General Groves said he couldn’t afford to lose all that plutonium.”
From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin
