entreat

[en-treet]

verb (used with object)

to ask (a person) earnestly; beseech; implore; beg: to entreat the judge for mercy.

to ask earnestly for (something): He entreated help in his work.

verb (used without object)

to make an earnest request or petition.

Origin of entreat

1300–50; Middle English entreten < Middle French entrait(i)er. See en-¹, treat

Related formsen·treat·ing·ly, adverben·treat·ment, nounnon·en·treat·ing, adjectivenon·en·treat·ing·ly, adverbun·en·treat·ed, adjectiveun·en·treat·ing, adjective

Synonyms for entreat

1. pray, importune, sue, solicit.

Synonym study

1. See appeal.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for entreating

urge, beseech, wheedle, coax, invoke, pray, ask, pester, request, beg, importune, implore, crave, plague, enjoin, press, exhort, supplicate, blandish, petition

Examples from the Web for entreating

Historical Examples of entreating

And though she followed him to the front door, entreating, he could not be stayed or hindered.
Alice Adams
Booth Tarkington
Mr. Dunbar did not make any response to that entreating whisper.
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon
She gave him an entreating glance that silenced his rude attempt at gallantry.
The Downfall
Emile Zola
I lost no time in entreating him earnestly not to be absurd; to come in and shut the door.'
Lord Jim
Joseph Conrad
In his ears there still lingered the sound of entreating whisper.
Almayer's Folly
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for entreating

entreat

intreat

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 (def. 4)

Derived Formsentreatingly or intreatingly, adverbentreatment or intreatment, noun

Word Origin for entreat

C15: from Old French entraiter, from en- 1 + traiter to treat

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for entreating

entreat

mid-14c., "to enter into negotiations;" early 15c., "to treat (someone) in a certain way," also "to plead for (someone)," from Anglo-French entretier, Old French entraiter "to treat," from en- "make" (see en- (1)) + traiter "to treat" (see treat (v.)). Meaning "to beseech, implore" is first attested c.1500. Related: Entreated; entreating.