as in to beg
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner
I pray you: tell me where they went
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pray
Each night the boys would kneel in the dark and pray for help.
—
Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 18 June 2026
During his 90 days in the hospital, Kloots rallied an online community behind her family, praying for his recovery and uplifting one another each night.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Once a year, Akagawa takes the letters to a nearby Buddhist temple, where a monk prays over them.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
The chance to see each other, to be in community, to sing for 90 minutes and pray for goals and glory.
—Emily Olsen, New York Times, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 18 June 2026
During his 90 days in the hospital, Kloots rallied an online community behind her family, praying for his recovery and uplifting one another each night.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Once a year, Akagawa takes the letters to a nearby Buddhist temple, where a monk prays over them.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
The chance to see each other, to be in community, to sing for 90 minutes and pray for goals and glory.
—Emily Olsen, New York Times, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pray
Verb
-
Setting the factory ablaze and escaping, Naim pauses for a minute when the Ryan-like monster appears at a window, begging to be released and claiming to be the human-being.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
-
The role required a physical and comedic register she had not previously been asked to sustain at this scale, which begs the question of whether playing someone this chaotic is sustainable for someone who describes herself, without hesitation, as directly opposite.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
North Dakota State petitioned the NCAA and a determination had yet to be made as of the date of this post.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Brendon's brother previously petitioned to be named the representative for the late actor's estate.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pray. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
