beg

¹beg

verb \ˈbeg\

beggedbeg·ging

Definition of BEG

transitive verb

1

: to ask for as a charity

2

a : to ask earnestly for : entreat b : to require as necessary or appropriate

3

: evade, sidestep <begged the real problems>

intransitive verb

1

: to ask for alms

2

: to ask earnestly <begged for mercy>

— beg the question

1

: to pass over or ignore a question by assuming it to be established or settled

2

: to elicit a question logically as a reaction or response <the quarterback's injury begs the question of who will start in his place>

Examples of BEG

1. A homeless man begs on that corner every day.
2. children begging strangers for food
3. children begging food from strangers
4. He begged the doctor for medicine.
5. She begged him to read the story again.
6. He begged that she would forgive him.
7. begging a favor of someone
8. He's too proud to beg.
9. “Does your dog know any tricks?” “She knows how to beg.”

Origin of BEG

Middle English beggen

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to BEG

Synonyms: appeal (to), beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, importune, petition, plead (to), pray, solicit, supplicate, call on (or upon)

Related Words: bludge [chiefly Australian & New Zealand], cadge, mooch, sponge; ask, desire, invoke, request, sue; claim, coerce, command, compel, demand, force, insist, require

Near Antonyms: hint, imply, intimate, suggest; appease, conciliate, gratify, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, please, satisfy; comfort, console, content, quiet

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Synonym Discussion of BEG

beg, entreat, beseech, implore, supplicate, adjure, importune mean to ask urgently. beg suggests earnestness or insistence especially in asking for a favor <children begging to stay up late>. entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance <entreated me to change my mind>. beseech and implore imply a deeply felt anxiety <I beseech you to have mercy> <implored her not to leave him>. supplicate suggests a posture of humility <with bowed heads they supplicated their Lord>. adjure implies advising as well as pleading <we were adjured to tell the truth>. importune suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request <importuning viewers for contributions>.

Rhymes with BEG

dreg, egg, gleg, keg, leg, peg, reg, skeg, yegg