supplicate

American  

[suhp-li-keyt] / ˈsʌp lɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used without object)

supplicated, supplicating

1. to pray humbly; make humble and earnest entreaty or petition.

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verb (used with object)

supplicated, supplicating

1. to pray humbly to; entreat or petition humbly.

   Synonyms:

   beseech, solicit, crave, implore

2. to seek or ask for by humble entreaty.

supplicate British  

/ ˈsʌplɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to make a humble request to (someone); plead

2. (tr) to ask for or seek humbly

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Related Words

See appeal.

Other Word Forms

• nonsupplicating adjective
• presupplicate verb (used with object)
• supplicatingly adverb
• supplicatory adjective
• unsupplicated adjective
• unsupplicating adjective
• unsupplicatingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of supplicate

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin supplicātus “knelt,” past participle of supplicāre “to kneel,” from supplic-, stem of supplex “submissive, suppliant” ( see supple) + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Explanation

If you don’t get the grade you were hoping for on your paper, you could try to rewrite it, or you could meet with your teacher and supplicate. Your humble requests for an ‘A’ may or may not work. This verb is derived from the Latin supplicare, “to kneel.” People often supplicate to God for help in the form of prayer, or supplicate to a judge for a lesser sentence. It is usually an earnest petition made to an authority figure and can be perfectly respectable or can be somewhat pitiful, like begging.

Example Sentences

Namo Buddha, I supplicate the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the three times and ten directions to bestow Their blessings upon Your Majesties.

From BBC • Jul. 4, 2023

“All the statements from Kirill are constantly, ‘Let’s do things peacefully, lets pray and supplicate.’

From New York Times • Mar. 13, 2022

And if it would help to fall at her feet and supplicate myself, I would.

From The Guardian • Dec. 28, 2019

So dire was Britain's economic predicament that it had been humiliatingly obliged to supplicate for a loan from the International Monetary Fund.

From US News • Jul. 14, 2016

For whole years she tried to supplicate for him forgiveness through tears, fasts, alms, and prayers.

From Whirlpools A Novel of Modern Poland by Sienkiewicz, Henryk