beseech

Synonym Chooser

How is the word beseech distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of beseech are adjure, beg, entreat, implore, importune, and supplicate. While all these words mean "to ask urgently," beseech and implore imply a deeply felt anxiety.

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

In what contexts can adjure take the place of beseech?

While in some cases nearly identical to beseech, adjure implies advising as well as pleading.

we were adjured to tell the truth

When is beg a more appropriate choice than beseech?

The words beg and beseech are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking.

they begged for help

When is it sensible to use entreat instead of beseech?

The meanings of entreat and beseech largely overlap; however, entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance.

entreated me to join them

When could importune be used to replace beseech?

Although the words importune and beseech have much in common, importune suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request.

importuning viewers for contributions

Where would supplicate be a reasonable alternative to beseech?

In some situations, the words supplicate and beseech are roughly equivalent. However, 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 beseech Prayer is a basic practice of almost all religions, and what is prayer if not a beseeching of a synchronicity from God? Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025 The director, who wore mismatched socks onstage, beseeched his audience to ask him anything. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025 And almost certainly because Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson beseeched him to recognize the network’s value and offered to come onboard as creative advisors. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 9 July 2025 Kent called 911 a second time to inform the police that his son was mentally ill and beseeched them to use less-than-lethal weapons in apprehending him. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for beseech
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beseech
Verb
  • There’s a brilliant scene in which Linda unspools a throwdown rant at O’Brien’s character, begging him to help her but not willing to meet him halfway on the patient’s couch.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Anderson doesn’t have to beg anybody to take Hardy seriously anymore.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • No Azure for Apartheid The group has been asking Microsoft to listen to the more than 1,500 employees who petitioned the company to endorse a ceasefire.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
  • As Sportico has covered, the NBA petitioned the Supreme Court in March to review the case.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beseech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beseech. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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