supplication: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, religious
Quick answer
What does “supplication” mean?
A humble and earnest request, often to a deity or superior authority.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A humble and earnest request, often to a deity or superior authority.
A formal, respectful, and often urgent plea for help, mercy, or forgiveness, typically made in a kneeling or prostrate posture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in definition or usage.
Connotations
Slightly more archaic/literary in both, perhaps more readily understood in religious contexts in the US due to higher visibility of evangelical discourse.
Frequency
Low frequency in both dialects; slightly more common in British English due to its historical/liturgical presence in state church contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “supplication” in a Sentence
supplication to [deity/person]supplication for [mercy/help]in supplicationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “supplication” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The villagers would supplicate the local lord for clemency.
- He supplicated before the altar for guidance.
American English
- The protesters supplicated the governor for a pardon.
- She supplicated daily for her son's safe return.
adverb
British English
- He gazed supplicatingly at the judge.
- The letter was written supplicatingly, begging for a second chance.
American English
- She asked supplicatingly if she could borrow the car.
- He gestured supplicatingly towards the closed door.
adjective
British English
- He gave her a supplicant look, hoping she would change her mind.
- The supplicant crowd gathered at the palace gates.
American English
- Her supplicant tone was hard to ignore.
- They adopted a supplicant posture before the committee.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used; would seem dramatically out of place.
Academic
Used in historical, religious, or literary studies to describe formal pleas or prayers.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound overly formal or poetic.
Technical
Used in theology and liturgical studies.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “supplication”
- Misspelling as 'suppli*cat*ion' (confusion with 'application').
- Using it for a casual request (e.g., 'I made a supplication for a coffee break').
- Incorrect preposition: 'supplication for God' instead of 'supplication to God'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it is most common in religious or highly formal, ceremonial contexts. It can describe any deeply humble and earnest plea to any authority, but its strong connotations of humility make it rare in secular everyday use.
A 'supplication' is a specific type of plea. It implies a greater degree of humility, submissiveness, and often a ritualistic or formal quality. A 'plea' can be more general and legalistic.
Not directly. The noun is 'supplication'. The related verb is 'to supplicate'. You 'make a supplication' or you 'supplicate'.
The stress is on the third syllable: sup-pli-CA-tion. The first syllable rhymes with 'cup', not 'soup'.
A humble and earnest request, often to a deity or superior authority.
Supplication is usually formal, literary, religious in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On bended knee (in supplication)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SUPPLICATION as a SUPPLIER of a humble request. You are supplying your plea for help.
Conceptual Metaphor
REQUEST IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT OFFERED TO A SUPERIOR (to make supplication); HUMILITY IS A LOWER PHYSICAL POSITION (kneeling in supplication).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'supplication' LEAST appropriate?