implore

Synonym Chooser

How is the word implore distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of implore are adjure, beg, beseech, entreat, importune, and supplicate. While all these words mean "to ask urgently," beseech and implore imply a deeply felt anxiety.

I beseech you to have mercy
implored her not to leave him

When might adjure be a better fit than implore?

While in some cases nearly identical to implore, adjure implies advising as well as pleading.

we were adjured to tell the truth

When is it sensible to use beg instead of implore?

The synonyms beg and implore are sometimes interchangeable, but beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking.

they begged for help

In what contexts can entreat take the place of implore?

In some situations, the words entreat and implore are roughly equivalent. However, entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance.

entreated me to join them

When would importune be a good substitute for implore?

While the synonyms importune and implore are close in meaning, importune suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request.

importuning viewers for contributions

When is supplicate a more appropriate choice than implore?

The words supplicate and implore are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supplicate suggests a posture of humility.

with bowed heads they supplicated their Lord

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of implore Nessel's comments immediately followed a news conference held by the victims' parents, who implored state officials to conduct an investigation into the Nov. 30, 2021, Oxford shooting that left four students dead: Hana St. Juliana, 14; Tate Myre, 16; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2024 Over the last month, LaFave has sent letters and spoke at public meetings, imploring city staff and officials to grant her request for a staff member who would solely work for the court. Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024 Now, with a dazed Russia planning to use North Korean troops in a great new offensive, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy implores the West for more missiles and the approval to take the battle into Russia. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Nov. 2024 Stockmann, a grad student, was sold on Cignetti when the coach sent an email to students imploring them to show up for a certain victory against Maryland (final score: Indiana 42, Maryland 28). Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for implore 

Thesaurus Entries Near implore

Cite this Entry

“Implore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/implore. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on implore

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