sup·pli·cate
ˈsə-plə-ˌkāt 
supplicated; supplicating
: to make a humble entreaty
especially
: to pray to God
sup·pli·cat
-plə̇ˌkat
variants
or supplicate
-kāt
plural -s
: supplication
specifically
: a formal written petition for a degree or for incorporation at an English university
Examples of supplicate in a Sentence
Verb
the minister reminded his flock that God is a being to be obeyed and worshipped always and not just someone to be supplicated in times of trouble
Recent Examples on the Web
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
The windows do away with the plaintive or supplicating figures more common to Christian stained glass.
—Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2023
Now, finally, Farley, as chief of Ford for barely half a year, has come to supplicate before the narrative.
—Dale Buss, Forbes, 1 June 2021
Committees should draw power from their accomplishments, not based on which industries need to supplicate before the gavel.
—Ben Sasse, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2020
Two rows of little red devils bow at the magician’s feet, as though supplicating a supreme figure of dark and mysterious powers.
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2020
But while its competitors were giving grandiose speeches and supplicating at the White House, the company’s content-moderation choices stood out as an example of a social network with a moral compass.
—Kevin Roose, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2019
To restore their good standing, executives must supplicate, with minimal guidance from the party-state.
—Isaac Stone Fish, Twin Cities, 14 Oct. 2019
In short, the PCBE happily rubber-stamped the backwards and anti-science decrees of Bush and Cheney in an effort to supplicate the deranged Christian base of the Republican party.
—Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2011
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Verb
State and local leaders affected by disasters might supplicate themselves to the president in order to receive the patronage of disaster aid.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
The windows do away with the plaintive or supplicating figures more common to Christian stained glass.
—Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2023
Now, finally, Farley, as chief of Ford for barely half a year, has come to supplicate before the narrative.
—Dale Buss, Forbes, 1 June 2021
Committees should draw power from their accomplishments, not based on which industries need to supplicate before the gavel.
—Ben Sasse, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2020
Two rows of little red devils bow at the magician’s feet, as though supplicating a supreme figure of dark and mysterious powers.
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2020
But while its competitors were giving grandiose speeches and supplicating at the White House, the company’s content-moderation choices stood out as an example of a social network with a moral compass.
—Kevin Roose, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2019
To restore their good standing, executives must supplicate, with minimal guidance from the party-state.
—Isaac Stone Fish, Twin Cities, 14 Oct. 2019
In short, the PCBE happily rubber-stamped the backwards and anti-science decrees of Bush and Cheney in an effort to supplicate the deranged Christian base of the Republican party.
—Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Supplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supplicate. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
supplicate
verb
sup·pli·cate
ˈsəp-lə-ˌkāt
supplicated; supplicating
1
: to make a humble appeal
especially
: to pray to God
2
: to ask earnestly and humbly
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