Definition of begnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word beg distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of beg are adjure, beseech, entreat, implore, importune, and supplicate. While all these words mean "to ask urgently," beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking.

they begged for help

Where would adjure be a reasonable alternative to beg?

Although the words adjure and beg have much in common, adjure implies advising as well as pleading.

we were adjured to tell the truth

How are the words beseech and implore related as synonyms of beg?

Both beseech and implore imply a deeply felt anxiety.

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

In what contexts can entreat take the place of beg?

The synonyms entreat and beg are sometimes interchangeable, but entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance.

entreated me to join them

When is it sensible to use importune instead of beg?

In some situations, the words importune and beg are roughly equivalent. However, importune suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request.

importuning viewers for contributions

When might supplicate be a better fit than beg?

While the synonyms supplicate and beg are close in meaning, 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 beg After their inadvertent reintroduction, Gordon and Ashley’s friends beg them not to get back together. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026 There was one big first-half chance that went begging, Callum Doyle’s flick-on leaving the Wales international with just goalkeeper Max Weiss to beat, but his close-range header was tipped over. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 But if there was ever a time to prove McDaniel’s offensive scheme is what was needed to change things for the Chargers, this is the ultimate test for a team and fan base begging to make a run at the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026 The other member of the Clue Gang who was being driven to his apparent death last episode is Jacob, last seen begging Philadelphia police detective Shaun Docherty not to kill him. Chris Klimek, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beg
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beg
Verb
  • Mullens was one of three female swimmers who formally petitioned the Virginia State Board of Health to enact the regulation, along with Hungarian Olympian Réka György and former Roanoke teammate Carter Satterfield.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • New Jersey’s attorney general petitioned the Supreme Court, asking the justices to step in.
    Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • One month before the Pentagon announced its first equity stake in a company, its top lawyer asked the White House to explain why the deal wouldn’t break the law.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Alaska voters will once again be asked to decide whether to keep or scrap their election method this fall.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • On Tuesday morning, Carrie Smith posted on Facebook that the family was aware a body had been found a day earlier and asked others to pray with them.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Those praying for Atkinson's canonization and sainthood have been patient, a page right out of the priest's own book.
    Joe Holden, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Benioff has a history of imploring tech companies to think of the greater good.
    Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters will implore their colleagues on Tuesday afternoon to help Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in the state’s must-win Senate race, according to a person familiar with their plans.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In The Ginger Man, Dangerfield repeatedly beseeches Blessed Oliver to get him out of jams.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The play is set in a lecture hall in 1890, as Theo (played by Pasternak) recounts his memories of Vincent and beseeches the audience — and the world — to understand his brother.
    Steve Palopoli, Mercury News, 2 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beg. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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