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
Some are praying, others are posing and the grandeur of the churches makes even the most dramatic of designer clothing look small — and spare.
—
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Her seemingly naive caregiver prays for guidance in her duties, with Clark evoking Sissy Spacek's Carrie White in her apparent unworldliness.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Your prayers will be answered, keep praying.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Think about your circle and their strengths — who cooks, who organizes, who prays, who can help with new hair, wig or makeup?
—Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pray
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Her seemingly naive caregiver prays for guidance in her duties, with Clark evoking Sissy Spacek's Carrie White in her apparent unworldliness.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Your prayers will be answered, keep praying.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Think about your circle and their strengths — who cooks, who organizes, who prays, who can help with new hair, wig or makeup?
—Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pray
Verb
-
Comments begged Kennedy to explain what caused her relationship to end.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
That begs the question of whether the Rockets need to upgrade at point guard, given their championship expectations.—
Ricardo Sandoval,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Judges also review arbitration awards with a high degree of deference, meaning the side that loses the arbitration is often disincentivized to petition a judge to vacate the award.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The discovery showcases the diversity of life that exists in a place experiencing rapid climate change — which is why scientists are petitioning for the Weddell Sea’s fragile ecosystem to be protected by law.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pray. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share