First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
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
1
: to beg for urgently or anxiously
2
: to request earnestly : implore
intransitive verb
: to make supplication
— be·seech·ing·ly \-ˈsē-chiŋ-lē\ adverb
See beseech defined for English-language learners
See beseech defined for kids
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Origin of BESEECH
Middle English besechen, from be- + sechen to seek
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>.
Rhymes with BESEECH
BESEECHING Defined for Kids
beseech
verb be·seech \bi-ˈsēch\
be·sought \-ˈsȯt\ or be·seechedbe·seech·ing
Definition of BESEECH for Kids
: to ask in a serious and emotional way <We beseeched the king to let him live.>
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