as in to beg
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner
I pray you: tell me where they went
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Recent Examples of pray
Friberg's painting of Washington praying is particularly popular among church members.
—
Neda Ulaby, NPR, 27 May 2026
Congress must pass the SACRED Act, new bipartisan legislation that would establish 100-foot safe access zones around houses of worship, ensuring that Americans can pray without being intimidated or obstructed.
—Jonathan Greenblatt, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
The fathers, faces ruddy, prayed in Latin for her soul, black robes flapping in the wind.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
At a community vigil Tuesday night, dozens gathered at a local park to pray, light candles and embrace teary-eyed loved ones.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Neda Ulaby, NPR, 27 May 2026
Congress must pass the SACRED Act, new bipartisan legislation that would establish 100-foot safe access zones around houses of worship, ensuring that Americans can pray without being intimidated or obstructed.
—Jonathan Greenblatt, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
The fathers, faces ruddy, prayed in Latin for her soul, black robes flapping in the wind.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
At a community vigil Tuesday night, dozens gathered at a local park to pray, light candles and embrace teary-eyed loved ones.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pray
Verb
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What made Grande stick out back then was a limber voice that begged to be dressed in sounds that swing.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
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In a story this complicated, where everyone from a little girl to a grown man from Boston is begging for their humanity, even Howard Stevens deserves some, too.—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The backstory The story begins with notorious playboy Huntington Hartford II, heir to the A&P empire, who set out to develop his own resort for the jet-setting elite on what was then known as Hog Island—Hartford successfully petitioned the Bahamian government to change its name.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 May 2026
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In April, Warren petitioned for Education to stop its transfer of federal student aid services to Treasury, hoping to halt the dismantling of the agency.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pray. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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