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beseech

play
verb be·seech \bi-ˈsēch, bē-\

Definition of beseech

beseeched

or

besought

play \-ˈsȯt\;

beseeching
  1. transitive verb

  2. 1 :  to beg for urgently or anxiously beseeched him to write while he was away — R. W. Hatch

  3. 2 :  to request earnestly :  implore besought their protection

  4. intransitive verb

  5. :  to make supplication

See beseech defined for English-language learners

See beseech defined for kids

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Examples of beseech in a sentence

  1. parishioners ardently beseeched the local bishop not to close their beloved church

Origin and Etymology of beseech

Middle English besechen, from be- + sechen to seek


First Known Use: 12th century

beseech Synonyms

Synonyms
appeal (to), beg, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, importune, petition, plead (to), pray, solicit, supplicate
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

Synonym Discussion of beseech

beg, entreat, beseech, implore, supplicate, adjure, importune mean to ask urgently. beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking. they begged for help entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance. entreated me to join them 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

BESEECH Defined for English Language Learners

beseech

play
verb be·seech \bi-ˈsēch, bē-\

Definition of beseech for English Language Learners

  • : to beg (someone) for something : to ask (someone) in a serious and emotional way to do something

BESEECH Defined for Kids

beseech

play
verb be·seech \bi-ˈsēch\

Definition of beseech for Students

besought

\-ˈsȯt\ or

beseeched

;

beseeching

  1. :  to ask in a serious and emotional way We beseeched the king to let him live.

Learn More about beseech

  1. See words that rhyme with beseech Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for beseech Spanish Central: Translation of beseech Nglish: Translation of beseech for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of beseech for Arabic speakers

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Examples: beseech in a sentence
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