prayerful

adjective

prayer·​ful ˈprer-fəl 

1

: devout

2

: earnest, sincere

prayerfully

ˈprer-fə-lē 

adverb

prayerfulness noun

Synonyms of prayerful

• pleading
• persistent

Examples of prayerful in a Sentence

They gave their prayerful support to the victims of the tragedy.

impressed by such prayerful petitioners, the governor promised that he'd see what he could do

Recent Examples on the Web

Tigua dancers of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo performed a prayerful ceremony traditional before a hunt. — Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2026

That’s the prayerful explanation for the nonsense that spouted this week from the leaders of a football conference that hopes to grow up and be the Big Ten someday. — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 29 May 2026

There are prayerful ways to make choices that bring harmony, grace, and healing and an assurance of good outcomes. — Pam Debolt, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Apr. 2026

The Followers have bent elbows and knees and prayerful cupped hands, and often move with little birdlike hops around the Preacher (Jai Perez), who presides with proud posture and reverential knee-hinges to the floor. — Jennifer Homans, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prayerful

• careful

Kids Definition

prayerful

adjective

prayer·​ful ˈpra(ə)r-fəl 

ˈpre(ə)r-

1

: given to or marked by prayer : devout

2

: earnest entry 2 sense 1

prayerfully

-fə-lē 

adverb