supplicate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Religious
Quick answer
What does “supplicate” mean?
To ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly, especially from a person in power or a deity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly, especially from a person in power or a deity.
To make a humble, earnest, and often formal petition or request. The act often carries a religious or deeply formal connotation, suggesting submission and reverence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally formal and rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of humility, formality, and often religious or historical contexts in both BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, slightly more likely to be encountered in religious, poetic, or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “supplicate” in a Sentence
[NP] supplicate [NP] (e.g., The people supplicated the emperor).[NP] supplicate for [NP] (e.g., They supplicated for clemency).[NP] supplicate [NP] for [NP] (e.g., He supplicated the court for a pardon).[NP] supplicate to [NP] (e.g., The priest supplicated to the heavens).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “supplicate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The villagers would supplicate at the shrine for a good harvest.
- He was forced to supplicate the monarch for his family's release.
American English
- The protesters supplicated the governor for a stay of execution.
- In the poem, the hero supplicates the gods for strength.
adverb
British English
- They prayed supplicatingly for divine intervention. (Note: 'supplicatingly' is the adverb form)
American English
- He spoke supplicatingly, hoping to change her mind. (Note: 'supplicatingly' is the adverb form)
adjective
British English
- The supplicant crowd held their arms outstretched. (Note: 'supplicant' is the adjective/noun form, not 'supplicate')
American English
- A supplicatory letter was sent to the board. (Note: 'supplicatory' is the adjective form)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. 'To petition' or 'to appeal' would be used instead.
Academic
Used in historical, religious, or literary studies to describe formal acts of petitioning.
Everyday
Extremely rare. 'Beg', 'plead with', or 'ask' are used.
Technical
Not used as a technical term in common fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “supplicate”
- Using it transitively without 'for' when the object is the thing requested (e.g., *'He supplicated mercy' is less standard than 'He supplicated for mercy').
- Using it in informal contexts where it sounds unnatural and pompous.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a C2-level, formal word rarely used in everyday conversation. It is found more often in religious, historical, or literary contexts.
'Beg' is general and can be informal. 'Implore' is more earnest and emotional. 'Supplicate' is the most formal and often implies a structured, humble petition to a superior power or authority.
Yes, but the context must still involve a significant power differential and formal humility, such as a citizen supplicating a monarch or a prisoner supplicating a judge.
The noun is 'supplication' or 'supplicant' (the person who supplicates). The adjective is 'supplicant' (as in 'a supplicant gesture') or 'supplicatory'.
To ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly, especially from a person in power or a deity.
Supplicate is usually formal, literary, religious in register.
Supplicate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌplɪkeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌplɪˌkeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Fall on bended knee to supplicate (a descriptive phrase, not a fixed idiom).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SUPPLICATE' as making a 'SUPPLY' request from a position of weakness. You need supplies (help, mercy) and you must ask for them on your knees.
Conceptual Metaphor
PETITIONING/ASKING IS A PHYSICAL ACT OF SUBMISSION (e.g., kneeling, bowing). POWER/HELP IS ABOVE (hence, supplicating 'to' a higher power).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the verb 'supplicate' MOST appropriately used?