BESEECH Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

beseech

verb

bi-ˈsēch

Definition of beseech next

as in to beg

to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner parishioners ardently beseeched the local bishop not to close their beloved church

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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 That didn’t mollify Pleasant View neighbors, like Nancy Pate, who attended that August meeting and beseeched the commissioners not to sign off on housing at the Glo Park site. —

John Aguilar, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025 One of its products, a stablecoin, owes its value to Binance, whose co-founder Changpeng Zhao is beseeching Trump to pardon him after a money laundering conviction. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025 Almost every time there’s a close call the player comes up twirling his finger, beseeching his coach to ask for a review. —

Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025 McKellen beseeched the audience at the Princess of Wales Theatre. —

Brent Lang, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beseech

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beseech

Verb

Still, the rapid adoption of Burrito League begs the challenge—what the hell is so appealing about running around and around and around the same restaurant for days on end?

— Frederick Dreier, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
At a January press conference, executive producer Ben Winston admitted to getting on his knees and begging the comedian to return.

— Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026

Definition of beg

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berths

beseech

beseeched

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“Beseech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beseech. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 31 Jan 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of beseech

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