Definition

1. Verb:
   • To ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something; to plead or beg.
   • To make an earnest request or petition.

Usage

• Verb: The word "entreat" is a formal verb used to describe the act of making a very serious, sincere, and often emotional request. It implies a sense of urgency, humility, or desperation. It is often followed by an object (the person being asked) and can be used with a "to"-infinitive or a "that"-clause.
  • Structure: entreat + someone + to do something or entreat + that + clause.
  • It is less common in everyday modern speech and is often found in literary, religious, or formal contexts.

Examples

• Verb:
  • She entreated the king for mercy. (She earnestly begged the king for mercy.)
  • I entreat you to reconsider your decision. (I sincerely and anxiously ask you to reconsider your decision.)
  • They entreated him not to leave. (They pleaded with him not to leave.)

Advanced Usage

• "to entreat a favor": to earnestly ask for a favor.
  • He came to entreat a favor from his old friend.
• "to entreat of someone": a more archaic construction meaning to make a request of someone.
  • I entreat of you, hear my words. (I earnestly request that you listen to me.)

Variants and Related Words

• Entreaty (n): An earnest or humble request; a plea.
  • Their entreaties for peace were ignored.
• Entreatingly (adv): In an entreating manner; pleadingly.
  • She looked at him entreatingly.

Synonyms

• Beseech: To ask urgently and fervently.
• Implore: To beg earnestly.
• Plead: To make an emotional appeal.
• Supplicate: To ask or beg for something humbly or earnestly.

Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Entreat" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions.)

Related Idioms

• "To fall on one's knees and entreat": To beg very humbly and desperately.
  • The villagers fell on their knees and entreated the soldiers to spare their homes.

Verb

1. ask for or request earnestly
   • The prophet bid all people to become good persons