Crossword Genius

Appeals said to gratify (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pleas

'appeals' is the definition.
(plea is a kind of appeal)

'said to gratify' is the wordplay.
'said' shows a homophone (sound like).
'to gratify' becomes 'please' (pleasing is a kind of gratifying).
'please' is a homophone of 'PLEAS'.

(Other definitions for pleas that I've seen before include "Excuses, pretexts" , "Entreats" , "Urgent entreaties" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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