beseech

verb be·seech \bi-ˈsēch, bē-\

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

be·seeched or be·sought\-ˈsȯt\be·seech·ing

Full Definition of BESEECH

transitive verb

: to beg for urgently or anxiously

: to request earnestly : implore

intransitive verb

: to make supplication

— be·seech·ing·ly \-ˈsē-chiŋ-lē\ adverb

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Origin of BESEECH

Middle English besechen, from be- + sechen to seek

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to BESEECH

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

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>. 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 <importuning viewers for donations>.