implore

[ im-plawr, -plohr ]

/ ɪmˈplɔr, -ˈploʊr /

verb (used with object), im·plored, im·plor·ing.

to beg urgently or piteously, as for aid or mercy; beseech; entreat: They implored him to go.

to beg urgently or piteously for (aid, mercy, pardon, etc.): implore forgiveness.

verb (used without object), im·plored, im·plor·ing.

to make urgent or piteous supplication.

Nearby words

implied, implied consent, implied warranty, implode, imploratory, implorable, imploring, implosion, implosion therapy, implosive, impluvium

Origin of implore

1530–40; < Latin implōrāre, equivalent to im- im-¹ + plōrāre to lament

SYNONYMS FOR implore

2 crave, beg, solicit.

ANTONYMS FOR implore

2 spurn, reject.

Related forms

im·plor·a·ble, adjectiveim·plo·ra·tion, nounim·plor·a·to·ry

[im-plawr-uh-tawr-ee, -plohr-uh-tohr-ee] /ɪmˈplɔr əˌtɔr i, -ˈploʊr əˌtoʊr i/, adjectiveim·plor·er, noun

im·plor·ing·ly, adverbim·plor·ing·ness, nounun·im·plor·a·ble, adjectiveun·im·plored, adjective

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

British Dictionary definitions for implorable

implore

/ (ɪmˈplɔː) /

verb (tr)

to beg or ask (someone) earnestly (to do something); plead with; beseech

to ask earnestly or piteously for; supplicate; begto implore someone's mercy

Derived Formsimploration, nounimploratory, adjectiveimplorer, nounimploringly, adverb

Word Origin for implore

C16: from Latin implōrāre, from im- + plōrāre to bewail

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 implorable

implore

c.1500, from Middle French implorer and directly from Latin implorare "call for help, beseech," originally "invoke with weeping," from assimilated form of in- "on, upon" (see in- (2)) + plorare "to weep, cry out." Related: Implored; imploring; imploringly.