entreaty

American

[en-tree-tee] / ɛnˈtri ti /

noun

plural

entreaties

earnest request or petition; supplication.

Synonyms:

solicitation, plea, suit, appeal

entreaty British

/ ɪnˈtriːtɪ /

noun

an earnest request or petition; supplication; plea

"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

Etymology

Origin of entreaty

First recorded in 1515–25; entreat + -y ³

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.

Who could be falling for such an entreaty, one that requires a substantial misunderstanding of online job postings, of the internet, of contemporary employment?

From Slate • Aug. 4, 2025

Producer Patrick Spence also made an impassioned entreaty: "It's not over. We beg you... get the story out."

From BBC • May 11, 2025

What’s a critic to do in the face of such a courteous entreaty?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2023

The entreaty was entirely routine, although in making their request, the prosecutors took what could be considered an extra step.

From New York Times • Aug. 7, 2023

“Oh, no,” said Mary Anne to herself, but her eyes blazed up to her mother in a silent entreaty.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023