Words / C2

bi-SEECH/bɪˈsiːtʃ/

To beseech is to ask someone earnestly and urgently (literary / formal): I beseech you, beseeched in writing. Plead (already in the dictionary) is everyday-wider and also of court; exhort (already in the dictionary) is to urge strongly, not to beg. Remonstrate (already in the dictionary) is a formal protest. A corridor plea is not a minute.

Meaning

To ask someone earnestly and urgently (literary / formal).

Examples

• “Beseech the board in writing; a corridor plea is not a record.”
• “Plead is everyday-wider (already in B2). Exhort is to urge strongly (already in C2). Remonstrate is a formal protest (already in C2). An earnest letter can still be exact. Heat in the stairwell is theatre. Put the ask on paper; then the pathos.”

Good to know

Beg earnestly (literary). Everyday: plead / beg (already in this dictionary). Close: exhort (urge — already in C2). Contrast: remonstrate (protest — already in C2). A plea in the corridor is not a record.

Near in meaning

implore, entreat, plead, beg

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