verb

entreat

ihn-TREET

verb

To ask someone earnestly or beg them for something.

"She entreated the judge for mercy."

"He entreated his brother to stay just one more night."

How to Use Entreat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo beg or plead with someone, usually sincerely and with feeling.

When to use it

A fairly formal or literary word; "beg" or "plead" is more common in everyday speech.

Common pairings

entreat someone to entreat for mercy

Word Forms

entreated past tense, entreat plural, entreated plural, entreats plural, entreats singular, entreat singular, entreated singular, entreatest singular, entreatedst singular, entreateth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ the judge for mercy.

Etymology

From Old French entraitier, built from "en-" plus traitier, "to treat, deal with," from Latin tractare.

Rhymes for entreat

eat meat feat beat peat heat seat teat neat sweat wheat great

See all rhymes for entreat →