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
Dreher knelt in one of the pews and prayed.
—
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Every year many Christians are arrested and imprisoned under torturous conditions for practicing their right to religious freedom, where a simple act like praying together in house-churches seems like an act of civil disobedience.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Sullivan's neighbors in Hawaii and Buddhist nuns across the globe have been praying for the Guthrie family, Sullivan said.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 12 Feb. 2026
The father-daughter duo appeared in a teaser trailer for the film in December, which saw Thor praying to his father Odin for the strength to survive one last fight.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Every year many Christians are arrested and imprisoned under torturous conditions for practicing their right to religious freedom, where a simple act like praying together in house-churches seems like an act of civil disobedience.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Sullivan's neighbors in Hawaii and Buddhist nuns across the globe have been praying for the Guthrie family, Sullivan said.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 12 Feb. 2026
The father-daughter duo appeared in a teaser trailer for the film in December, which saw Thor praying to his father Odin for the strength to survive one last fight.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pray
Verb
-
With their strong lines and solid structure, fences are just begging to be planted with vines and other climbing plants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In a TikTok on Wednesday, the singer-songwriter begged Wikipedia users to stop changing the photo on her page.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The lack of First Amendment protections from the nation's high court has agitated some legal scholars who see the protections for free speech and petitioning the government as deeply connected to public employees' labor rights.—
Helen Rummel,
AZCentral.com,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The bill says a decision by county commissioners to impose a sales tax could be petitioned to an election.—
Joshua Haiar & Seth Tupper,
States Newsroom,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pray. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
