ENTREAT Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

entreat

verb

in-ˈtrēt

as in to beg

to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner she began her letter by entreating me to forgive the belatedness of her reply

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word entreat distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of entreat are adjure, beg, beseech, implore, importune, and supplicate. While all these words mean "to ask urgently," entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance.

entreated me to join them

When could adjure be used to replace entreat?

The words adjure and entreat can be used in similar contexts, but adjure implies advising as well as pleading.

we were adjured to tell the truth

When is beg a more appropriate choice than entreat?

Although the words beg and entreat have much in common, beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking.

they begged for help

How are the words beseech and implore related as synonyms of entreat?

Both beseech and implore imply a deeply felt anxiety.

I beseech you to have mercy

implored her not to leave him

Where would importune be a reasonable alternative to entreat?

While the synonyms importune and entreat are close in meaning, importune suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request.

importuning viewers for contributions

In what contexts can supplicate take the place of entreat?

The synonyms supplicate and entreat are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 entreat At school, teachers entreat students to put their phones away, mostly unsuccessfully. —

Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025 Serena, unsure what to do in the aftermath of shooting Ezra, entreated June to raise Noah for her. —

Abigail Lee, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025 And always take a moment to reflect and double-check before entreating any personal information and especially financial details. —

Zak Doffman, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 While many business heads have been entreating Trump to adjust his tariff policy, Griffin believes sports team owners would be a particular influential group the 78-year-old president would listen to. —

Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for entreat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for entreat

Verb

As a kid in Rochester, New York, Kane begged his parents for a dollar to play.

— Anna Rahmanan, thehustle.co, 9 Jan. 2026
While eating at the restaurant with her parents, Black begged for her own tasty drink and the bartender whipped one up, naming it after her.

— Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026