besought
Definition
- Verb (past tense and past participle of beseech):
- To implore or entreat earnestly: "besought" means to have asked someone urgently and fervently, often with a sense of desperation or deep emotion.
- To supplicate: It implies a humble or heartfelt plea, typically directed toward a person or higher power.
Usage Examples
- (She pleaded with him earnestly to remain.)
- (The villagers implored the king to show compassion.)
- (He prayed fervently for rain.)
Advanced Usage
"to beseech" (base form): The present tense of "besought," meaning to beg or plead.
- I beseech you to reconsider your decision. (I urgently ask you to think again.)
"beseeching" (present participle): Acting in a pleading manner.
- Her beseeching eyes moved him to help. (Her eyes showed a desperate plea.)
Variants and Related Words
- Beseech (v): the base form of the verb.
- They beseech the authorities for aid. (They plead for assistance.)
- Beseeching (adj): expressing a plea or entreaty.
- He gave her a beseeching look. (His expression was full of earnest pleading.)
- Beseechingly (adv): in a manner that shows earnest pleading.
- She looked at him beseechingly. (She looked as if begging for something.)
Synonyms
- Implored: asked earnestly or desperately.
- Entreated: made an emotional appeal.
- Supplicated: begged humbly, often to a deity.
- Pleaded: made an urgent request.
Idioms
- "Beseech someone for mercy": to beg for leniency or forgiveness.
- The prisoner besought the judge for mercy. (He pleaded for a lighter sentence.)
- "Beseech the heavens": to pray or appeal to divine forces.
- In despair, they besought the heavens for a miracle. (They prayed fervently for divine intervention.)