entreaty
gb/ɛntɹˈiti/ us/ɛntɹˈiti/
C1
English
~ 9400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
action
1
earnest, emotional request
A very serious and emotional ask for something, usually when you really need help or want someone to change their mind.
Usage pattern:
make an entreaty to [someone] to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'entreaty' with 'treaty'. A 'treaty' is an official agreement between countries, while an 'entreaty' is a serious request. Another common mistake is trying to use 'entreaty' as a verb; the verb form is 'entreat' (e.g., 'She entreated him to stay,' not 'She entreatied him to stay').
Synonyms
plea (Very close in meaning, slightly more common and neutral in tone than the formal-sounding 'entreaty'.)
|
appeal (Can sound slightly less emotional and is used more broadly, including in legal or official contexts.)
|
imploration (Even stronger sense of emotional begging, often more dramatic than 'entreaty'.)
Antonyms
command (A forceful order given with authority, the opposite of a humble or emotional request.)
Collocations
make an entreaty
|desperate entreaty
|final entreaty
|entreaty for mercy
|entreaty to stay
|ignore an entreaty
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her entreaty for more time on the project was refused by the manager.
- He made a quiet entreaty to the judge for leniency in sentencing.
- Despite their entreaties, the company went ahead with the layoffs.
- The letter ended with an entreaty for peace and understanding.
- His eyes were full of entreaty as he asked her not to leave.
Learner examples
- She sent an entreaty to her boss to let her work from home.
- His entreaty for help moved everyone in the room.
- The teacher ignored the student’s entreaty for another chance.
- Their entreaty for more time was simple but very serious.
- He wrote an entreaty to the landlord asking to stay one more month.
Grammar
Dictionary form
entreaty
IPA
GB/ɛntɹˈiti/
US/ɛntɹˈiti/
Syllables & stress
en - treaty (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (treaty)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: entreaty
- Plural: entreaties, entreaty
Word family
Expressions
make an entreaty
1/mˈeɪk ən ɛntɹˈiti/
fixed phrase
formal
to make a serious request
To ask someone very seriously and emotionally for something.
Examples
- Residents made an entreaty to the mayor to improve public safety.
- He made an entreaty to the board to reconsider their decision.
- They made an entreaty for calm as the crowd grew angry.