verb
-
to ask (a person) earnestly; beg or plead with; implore
-
to make an earnest request or petition for (something)
-
an archaic word for treat
Related Words
See appeal.
Other Word Forms
- entreatingly adverb
- entreatment noun
- nonentreating adjective
- nonentreatingly adverb
- unentreated adjective
- unentreating adjective
Etymology
Origin of entreat
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English entreten, from Middle French entrait(i)er; see origin at en- 1, treat
Explanation
To entreat is to ask for something that is really important, like when you entreat the jury to spare your life. The verb entreat implies that the person doing the entreating is really serious about what has to happen. Maybe it's even a matter of life and death, like when parents entreat their children to never drive drunk. Synonyms for entreat are plead, beg, beseech, and implore — all of these are words not to be used lightly. They carry more weight than ask and request.
Vocabulary lists containing entreat
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Romeo and Juliet
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"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Optimists and happy warriors entreat us to lean on each other to get through these grim times, insisting that community is our strength.
From Salon • Jan. 8, 2026
The signatories entreat him to rapidly expand testing to counter huge lines and speed up test results which can take two weeks.
From The Guardian • Aug. 8, 2020
Gregarious guides may entreat visitors to speak from the podium used by Dr. King.
From New York Times • May 3, 2018
Likewise, he says he often gets impatient with people who entreat him to sign many items of memorabilia — most of which he believes will wind up sold online.
From Washington Times • Apr. 13, 2017
I cannot find my way back, I am shut out though I entreat earnestly and put forth all my strength.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
