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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 As Clare Malone reported for The New Yorker, Woodward beseeched Bezos to intercede. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026 Leaders of the community, which includes one of the largest populations of Holocaust survivors and their descendants in the world, beseeched the government to take stronger action. — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Dec. 2025 In September, Brazilian business leaders beseeched the Brazilian Academy of Cinema to nominate Marianna Brennand’s Manas as the country’s representative for the 98th Oscars over The Secret Agent. — Andy Crump, Time, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beseech

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beseech

Verb

Gianni Infantino went from immovable king of football to touring the world, begging people for support.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
But this begs the parallel question of what the current museum architecture arises from and reflects, and why the oceanic and the oligarchic logics of the museum’s reformation now travel together here.

— George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of beg

Verb

If the teams refuse to enroll the players who benefit from the TRO, those players could petition Hoffman to clarify that his order also blocks the SEC from punishing schools.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The accusations surfaced after the Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy (COGS) petitioned to have a court unseal the divorce records dating to 2012.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of petition

Browse Nearby Words

berths

beseech

beseeched

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Beseech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beseech. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of beseech

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes