verb
beseech
bih-SEECH
verb
1
To beg someone urgently and earnestly for something.
"She beseeched the judge to show mercy on her son."
"He beseeched his friend not to leave without saying goodbye."
How to Use Beseech
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal, emotional way of saying "beg" or "plead."
When to use it
Fairly literary or old-fashioned; more common in writing, speeches, or dramatic dialogue than everyday conversation.
Common pairings
beseech someone to do something
beseech for mercy
Word Forms
beseeched past tense, besought past tense, beseeches plural, beseeches singular
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She _____ the judge to show mercy on her son.
Etymology
From Middle English besechen, built on an old word meaning "to seek" — literally asking someone by seeking a favour from them.