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Some common synonyms of beseech<\/em> are adjure<\/em><\/a>, beg<\/em><\/a>, entreat<\/em><\/a>, implore<\/em><\/a>, importune<\/em><\/a>, and supplicate<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to ask urgently,\" beseech<\/em> and implore<\/em> imply a deeply felt anxiety.<\/p>

\/\/ I beseech<\/em> you to have mercy<\/p>

\/\/ implored<\/em> her not to leave him<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'adjure' take the place of 'beseech'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to beseech<\/em>, adjure<\/em><\/a> implies advising as well as pleading.<\/p>

\/\/ we were adjured<\/em> to tell the truth<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'beg' a more appropriate choice than 'beseech'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words beg<\/em><\/a> and beseech<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, beg<\/em> suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking.<\/p>

\/\/ they begged<\/em> for help<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'entreat' instead of 'beseech'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of entreat<\/em><\/a> and beseech<\/em> largely overlap; however, entreat<\/em> implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance.<\/p>

\/\/ entreated<\/em> me to join them<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'importune' be used to replace 'beseech'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words importune<\/em><\/a> and beseech<\/em> have much in common, importune<\/em> suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request.<\/p>

\/\/ importuning<\/em> viewers for contributions<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'supplicate' be a reasonable alternative to 'beseech'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words supplicate<\/em><\/a> and beseech<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, supplicate<\/em> suggests a posture of humility.<\/p>

\/\/ with bowed heads they supplicated<\/em> their Lord<\/p>" } } ] }

beseech

verb

bi-ˈsÄ“ch How to pronounce beseech (audio)
Definition of beseechnext
as in to beg
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner parishioners ardently beseeched the local bishop not to close their beloved church

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word beseech distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of beseech are adjure, beg, entreat, implore, importune, and supplicate. While all these words mean "to ask urgently," beseech and implore imply a deeply felt anxiety.

I beseech you to have mercy
implored her not to leave him

In what contexts can adjure take the place of beseech?

While in some cases nearly identical to beseech, adjure implies advising as well as pleading.

we were adjured to tell the truth

When is beg a more appropriate choice than beseech?

The words beg and beseech are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking.

they begged for help

When is it sensible to use entreat instead of beseech?

The meanings of entreat and beseech largely overlap; however, entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance.

entreated me to join them

When could importune be used to replace beseech?

Although the words importune and beseech have much in common, importune suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request.

importuning viewers for contributions

Where would supplicate be a reasonable alternative to beseech?

In some situations, the words supplicate and beseech are roughly equivalent. However, supplicate suggests a posture of humility.

with bowed heads they supplicated their Lord

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of beseech Leaders of the community, which includes one of the largest populations of Holocaust survivors and their descendants in the world, beseeched the government to take stronger action. —Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Dec. 2025 That didn’t mollify Pleasant View neighbors, like Nancy Pate, who attended that August meeting and beseeched the commissioners not to sign off on housing at the Glo Park site. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025 Almost every time there’s a close call the player comes up twirling his finger, beseeching his coach to ask for a review. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025 McKellen beseeched the audience at the Princess of Wales Theatre. —Brent Lang, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beseech
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beseech
  1. beg
  2. petition
Verb
  • John packs a bag and decides to go to a hotel for a couple of days, though Carolyn begs him not to leave.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The managers of Radio City Music Hall begged NBC to move Your Show of Shows to Thursdays.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of beg
Verb
  • On Tuesday, O'Connor petitioned the council to reopen the budget and presented a list of cuts and economies to right its finances.
    — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Aaron Siri, an attorney who has challenged vaccine mandates and sued over vaccine injuries, is close to Kennedy and just petitioned him to add more than 300 conditions that could qualify for compensation.
    — March 25, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of petition

Browse Nearby Words

berths
beseech
beseeched
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Cite this Entry

“Beseech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beseech. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of beseech for Spanish Speakers

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