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entreat

verb
en·​treat | \ in-ˈtrēt How to pronounce entreat (audio) , en-\
entreated; entreating; entreats

Definition of entreat

transitive verb

1 : to plead with especially in order to persuade : ask urgently entreated his boss for another chance
2 archaic : to deal with : treat

intransitive verb

1 : to make an earnest request : plead

2 obsolete

a : negotiate
b : intercede
Other Words from entreat Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about entreat

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Other Words from entreat

entreatingly \ in-​ˈtrē-​tiŋ-​lē How to pronounce entreatingly (audio) , en-​ \ adverb
entreatment \ in-​ˈtrēt-​mənt How to pronounce entreatment (audio) , en-​ \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for entreat

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 him 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 to a request. importuning viewers for contributions

Examples of entreat in a Sentence

I entreat you to help me. she began her letter by entreating me to forgive the belatedness of her reply

Recent Examples on the Web

 Trump entreated black voters at numerous whistle stops. — Deroy Murdock, National Review, "Don’t Ignore Trump Unifying, Anti-Racist Rhetoric," 9 Aug. 2019 In her letters — and as is represented in Gentleman Jack — Anne Lister entreats Ann Walker to a romantic partnership that would appear completely respectable to polite society. — Jeanna Kadlec, Longreads, "The 19th Century Lesbian Made for 21st Century Consumption," 7 June 2019 But when Le Doussal entreated Takeuchi to plot the data again, the scientists saw the first glimpse of the left and right tails. — Quanta Magazine, "At the Far Ends of a New Universal Law," 15 Oct. 2014 But whilst thus entreating him to save her and her family, the slave-driver, who had first bought her, came running in pursuit of her with a raw hide in his hand. — Solomon Jones, Philly.com, "153 years after Juneteenth, black and brown people are still dehumanized in America | Solomon Jones," 19 June 2018 Gregarious guides may entreat visitors to speak from the podium used by Dr. King. — New York Times, "36 Hours in Montgomery, Ala.," 3 May 2018 But her stationery story began in 2009, when a friend entreated Menocal to create invitations for her Palm Beach, Florida, wedding. — Christine Whitney, WSJ, "Three Top Stationers on Their Perfect Pens, Favorite Travel Finds, Inspirations and More," 7 Dec. 2017 Other local families arrive, also entreating Stockton to save them. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Reimagining The Twilight Zone for the 21st Century," 20 Dec. 2017 Some have written that Kansas City can put together a legitimate bid to entreat Amazon to the City of Fountains. — Max Londberg, kansascity, "Why people say Amazon will choose KC, why it won’t, and why the dream could backfire," 12 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entreat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of entreat

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2a

History and Etymology for entreat

Middle English entreten, from Anglo-French entreter, from en- + treter to treat

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More Definitions for entreat

entreat

verb
How to pronounce entreat (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of entreat

formal : to ask (someone) in a serious and emotional way

See the full definition for entreat in the English Language Learners Dictionary

entreat

verb
en·​treat | \ in-ˈtrēt How to pronounce entreat (audio) \
entreated; entreating

Kids Definition of entreat

: to ask in a serious and urgent way “Friends, I entreat you not to quarrel!”— L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz

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More from Merriam-Webster on entreat

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with entreat

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for entreat

Spanish Central: Translation of entreat

Nglish: Translation of entreat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of entreat for Arabic Speakers

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