When someone is accused of a crime, they must appear in court and declare their plea. Instead of always using the phrase "entered a plea," there are several synonyms to make your writing more varied and engaging. "Declared a plea" is a simple alternative that still accurately conveys the action taken by the defendant. "Announced a plea" adds a sense of formality to the situation. On the other hand, "submitted a plea" implies that the defendant is humbly asking the court to consider their plea. For a more colloquial option, "put in a plea" works well. Whichever synonym you choose, make sure it aligns with the tone and style of your writing.