beseech

[ bih-seech ]

verb (used with object)

, be·sought or be·seeched, be·seech·ing.

1. to implore urgently:

   They besought him to go at once.

   Synonyms: adjure, supplicate, petition, pray, entreat

2. to beg eagerly for; solicit.

   Synonyms: importune

verb (used without object)

, be·sought or be·seeched, be·seech·ing.

1. to make urgent appeal:

   Earnestly did I beseech, but to no avail.

beseech

/ bɪˈsiːtʃ /

verb

1. tr to ask (someone) earnestly (to do something or for something); beg

Derived Forms

• beˈseechingly, adverb
• beˈseecher, noun
• beˈseeching, adjective

Other Words From

• be·seecher noun
• be·seeching·ly adverb
• be·seeching·ness noun
• unbe·seeching adjective
• unbe·seeching·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of beseech¹

before 1100; Middle English bisechen, Old English besēcan. See be-, seek

Word History and Origins

Origin of beseech¹

C12: see be- , seek ; related to Old Frisian besēka

Example Sentences

The activists, from the Sunrise Movement, were there Sept. 23 to beseech Harris to stop promoting the extraction of fossil fuels.

From Los Angeles Times

I also besought Michael Harrison for his insights.

From Los Angeles Times

In Trump's infamous phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, he beseeched him to "find" enough votes to overturn his 2020 election loss.

From Salon

Tormented by spiritual agony and the systemic lupus that would kill her at 39, O’Connor, a lifelong Catholic, beseeches him: “I long for grace,” she cries.

From New York Times

“All I want is to see her, while I’m still well,” Yokota said, beseeching the ambassador for continued support toward resolving the problem.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• implore