What does supplication mean?
Supplication means an earnest, humble appeal for assistance, mercy, favour, or relief. It is used especially in formal, literary, legal, and religious contexts, where it conveys both urgency and a degree of humility. A person making a supplication is not necessarily demanding; the word implies a request made because the petitioner lacks the power to enforce a decision. In Christian usage, a prayer of supplication is a petition asking God for help, guidance, protection, or forgiveness. The word can also refer to the act of appealing rather than to the written request itself. Its elevated tone makes it especially appropriate for formal documents, historical accounts, religious texts, and literary language. Compared with a simple request, supplication suggests greater seriousness and emotional appeal; compared with a petition, it often carries a more personal and humble nuance.
nounThe act of making an earnest or humble request for help, mercy, or favour. It may also refer to a prayer or petition addressed to God.
- An earnest or humble request for help, mercy, favour, or relief.
- A prayer or petition addressed to God.
"She made a supplication to the council for more time to complete the work."
"The prisoner submitted a supplication for mercy after receiving the sentence."
"The service concluded with a prayer of supplication for peace and protection."
The plural is grammatically standard but uncommon because the word is used mainly in formal, literary, legal, or religious contexts.
"The petitions and supplications of the applicants were reviewed by the committee."
Supplication is a plea made with humility: its strength comes from urgency and sincerity rather than authority.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does supplication come from?
Supplication derives from the Latin noun supplicatio, meaning an appeal or petition, and ultimately from supplicare, “to entreat or supplicate.” The English word passed into use through Latin and French while preserving the idea of a formal, respectful appeal. Its related English forms include supplicate, suppliant, and supplicant, all of which continue the same Latin root and the notion of asking humbly for assistance.
Related word forms
How supplication is actually used
Supplication is formal and literary rather than everyday. In religious contexts, it commonly suggests a humble appeal to God; in legal and historical writing, it can mean a petition or formal request for relief.