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
During the vigil, Terry Cox encouraged attendees to pray together with those standing next to them.
—
Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
He was asked to anoint one member of his congregation, a Guatemalan immigrant who worked at a local meatpacking plant and often came to the church before work to pray.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
All of their gods and prayers and dances are aimed to praying for the Earth, giving back to the Earth, praying for rain, praying for good crops.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Known as the Dragon Slayer, he’s often shown meditating, praying, waxing philosophical, and pontificating on nobility, integrity and honor.
—Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
He was asked to anoint one member of his congregation, a Guatemalan immigrant who worked at a local meatpacking plant and often came to the church before work to pray.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
All of their gods and prayers and dances are aimed to praying for the Earth, giving back to the Earth, praying for rain, praying for good crops.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Known as the Dragon Slayer, he’s often shown meditating, praying, waxing philosophical, and pontificating on nobility, integrity and honor.
—Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pray
Verb
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These questions linger as Ion goes about his day, looking for work, begging for change, and scarfing down a meal—moments that flash by in quick, propulsive blips.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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White denim absolutely begs for a smart partner underneath.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On Tuesday, O'Connor petitioned the council to reopen the budget and presented a list of cuts and economies to right its finances.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Aaron Siri, an attorney who has challenged vaccine mandates and sued over vaccine injuries, is close to Kennedy and just petitioned him to add more than 300 conditions that could qualify for compensation.—
March 25,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pray. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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