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

Example 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 Lethe, the mythological Greek river of forgetfulness, is compared to the potent plant poison, and the speaker implores the reader to refuse both. Laura Murphy, JSTOR Daily, 28 Feb. 2025 The more he’s implored them to clean up their play, the uglier things have turned on the court. Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 At the athlete meeting before the event got underway, White implored them not to hold back in their assessments. Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 At the same time, Cunningham implored community members for their support as well, either via donations or by coming in more often to keep the space financially viable. Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for implore

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Cite this Entry

“Implore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/implore. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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