imploringly

American  

[im-plawr-ing-lee] / ɪmˈplɔr ɪŋ li /

adverb

1. in a way that expresses urgent or piteous pleading, as for aid or mercy; beseechingly.

   "No! Don't kill the spider!" gasped my daughter, looking imploringly into my eyes.

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Etymology

Origin of imploringly

implor(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

When you do or say something imploringly, you're trying to plead with someone for something. People act imploringly when they really need help. Have you ever had someone look at you with big puppy-dog eyes, hands pressed together, saying "Please, please, help me with this?" They looked at you — and spoke to you — imploringly. A beggar on the street might look at you imploringly with his hand out. A kid might look at her mom imploringly when the ice cream truck goes by. This is a strong word for when people really need or want something and are trying hard to get it.

Example Sentences

In almost every case, at least one man, woman or child looks out from the penurious scene and stares squarely at the viewer, imploringly.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2023

Several times she beseeched the crowd to quieten down, gently at first, imploringly: “It really puts me uptight and I forget the words and I get nervous,” she told them three songs in.

From The Guardian • Jul. 7, 2020

His most recent album is titled, almost imploringly, “The Blues Is Alive and Well,” and one of the cuts is “A Few Good Years”:

From The New Yorker • Mar. 4, 2019

The campaign, imploringly named Think Vermont, began in October.

From Slate • May 31, 2018

Prudence, dragging at her mother’s hand, gazed back imploringly as they passed.

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare

Related Words

• compellingly
• eagerly
• earnestly
• frantically
• hastily
• vigorously