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 One final winnable game had slipped away, forcing the Aztecs and their fans to beg for a mulligan. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026 Still, this one begs to be remembered. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026 With poor air quality adding to an environment begging for a change, the project will demolish, redirect and streamline traffic connections between Jack London Square, Chinatown and West Alameda over the next three years. Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026 This option is particularly casual with a relaxed fit that begs to be worn for traveling or running errands. Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beg
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beg
Verb
  • The organization in October 2025 petitioned the board and president of the Biennale to exclude the country, after the Israeli Ministry of Culture issued an open call for artists and curators to represent it.
    News Desk, Artforum, 18 Mar. 2026
  • About six months ago, my friend Gerry Goldberg and I co-founded the Andie’s Light campaign, petitioning the city councils of Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village for a traffic light at Belleview Avenue and Franklin Street.
    Jerry Presley, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • El Concilio — the group that led the effort to rename First Street for Cesar Chavez in 1993 — voted to pursue reversing that change, asking City Council to restore the street’s original name.
    Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Hadi’s phone was deluged with requests from people who had fled Tehran or from friends based abroad, asking him to help out their relatives.
    Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • If Marco Rubio goes to Cuba, pray for him.
    Silvia Hernandez, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
  • For example, a student can’t pray out loud during math class in a way that prevents others from learning.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Thus, Tommy’s sister, Ada (Sophie Rundle), and Kaulo Chiriklo (Rebecca Ferguson), the twin sister of Duke’s mother, separately implore Tommy to save his son and Gypsy people by extension.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Last week, students implored officials at a Board of Education meeting to keep their buildings open.
    Joe Brandt, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Ever since, Pritzker has pointed to that defeat when Welch and others beseech him to try again.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
  • In the original sci-fi novel, Victor Frankenstein is beseeched by his creation to create a companion, but after being plagued by visions of what this second attempt may bring (namely the breeding of additional monsters), the scientist destroys the companion before it is brought to life.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beg.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beg. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on beg

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster