pray

play

verb \ ˈprā \

Definition of pray

transitive verb

1 :entreat, implore —often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea

pray be careful

2 :to get or bring by praying

intransitive verb

1 :to make a request in a humble manner

2 :to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving

See pray defined for English-language learners

See pray defined for kids

Examples of pray in a Sentence

There's little else to do now but hope and pray.
The minister said, “Let us pray.”
He prayed that they would have the strength to go on.
He prayed that he would find a parking spot.

Recent Examples of pray from the Web

Many people have prayed, let the dog out, mowed the lawn and brought over meals.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Long road ahead for Eagle man recovering from motorcycle crash," 30 Aug. 2017
People will stop us at red lights on our way in and tell us their whole church is praying for us.

— megan friedman, Country Living, "Ami Brown From "Alaskan Bush People" Opens Up About Fighting Cancer," 24 Aug. 2017
Faith leaders, including associate pastor Paige Wolfanger of the First Congregatonal Church of Dundee (center), pray before a rally outside city hall in Elgin on Friday.

— rafael guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "After Charlottesville, demonstrators say hateful rhetoric not welcome in Elgin," 19 Aug. 2017
The pastor provided visitors with water and offered to pray with them.

— krista torralva, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Residents react in Kissimmee neighborhood where officers were shot," 19 Aug. 2017
Any questions, call Priscilla at 860-741-0226 or email pbelf@aol.com Call To PrayENFIELD — Christians from the Enfield community will gather at the Enfield Town Gazebo on Aug. 21 from 7 to 8 p.m., rain or shine.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 16 Aug. 2017
Two-dozen Senators—liberal and conservative; Catholic, Evangelical, Mormon, Protestant, Jewish, and Buddhist—come together to hear each other and to pray.

— chris coons, The Atlantic, "Progressive Values Can't Be Just Secular Values," 13 Aug. 2017
Praying for one’s partner is linked to numerous positive qualities.

— thomas burnett, idahostatesman, "Frustrated with your spouse? Prayer might help, researchers say," 11 Aug. 2017
A: Since their arrests were not related to their work with PUST, professors and staff members could not do anything—except pray hard.

— richard stone, Science | AAAS, "North Korea travel ban would hit Pyongyang University hard," 21 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pray.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pray

Middle English, from Anglo-French prier, praer, preier, from Latin precari, from prec-, prex request, prayer; akin to Old High German frāga question, frāgēn to ask, Sanskrit pṛcchati he asks

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

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pray Synonyms

Synonyms

appeal (to), beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, importune, petition, plead (to), beg, solicit, supplicate

Related Words

bludge [chiefly Australian & New Zealand], cadge, mooch, sponge; ask, desire, invoke, request, sue; claim, coerce, command, compel, demand, force, insist, require

Near Antonyms

hint, imply, intimate, suggest; appease, conciliate, gratify, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, please, satisfy; comfort, console, content, quiet

PRAY Defined for English Language Learners

pray

play

verb

Definition of pray for English Language Learners

: to speak to God especially in order to give thanks or to ask for something
: to hope or wish very much for something to happen
: to seriously ask (someone) to do something

PRAY Defined for Kids

pray

play

verb \ ˈprā \

Definition of pray for Students

prayed; praying

1 :to speak to God especially to give thanks or ask for something

2 :to hope or wish very much for

I prayed no one would forget.

3 :to ask earnestly :beg

Do not leave, I pray you.

Law Dictionary

pray

transitive verb

legal Definition of pray

:to ask for

plaintiff prays judgment against the defendants

—used especially in pleadings

intransitive verb

:to make a request of a court especially in a complaint or petition

complainant prays for declaratory relief

Learn More about pray

See words that rhyme with pray Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pray Spanish Central: Translation of pray Nglish: Translation of pray for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pray for Arabic speakers

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pray

Definition of pray

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Examples of pray in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pray from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pray

pray Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to PRAY

Related Phrases

PRAY Defined for English Language Learners

pray

Definition of pray for English Language Learners

PRAY Defined for Kids

pray

Definition of pray for Students

Law Dictionary

pray

legal Definition of pray

Learn More about pray

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