entreat
/in'tri:t/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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 somethingorentreat + 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
- ask for or request earnestly
- The prophet bid all people to become good persons