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
Each night the boys would kneel in the dark and pray for help.
—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
18 June 2026
During his 90 days in the hospital, Kloots rallied an online community behind her family, praying for his recovery and uplifting one another each night.
—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Once a year, Akagawa takes the letters to a nearby Buddhist temple, where a monk prays over them.
—
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
The chance to see each other, to be in community, to sing for 90 minutes and pray for goals and glory.
—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
18 June 2026
During his 90 days in the hospital, Kloots rallied an online community behind her family, praying for his recovery and uplifting one another each night.
—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Once a year, Akagawa takes the letters to a nearby Buddhist temple, where a monk prays over them.
—
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
The chance to see each other, to be in community, to sing for 90 minutes and pray for goals and glory.
—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pray
Verb
-
Packing shoes that look cute but leave your feet begging for mercy by day two.
-
Up to this point, Ruthye has begged Supergirl to help her exact revenge on Krem, which the heroine has refused, so the alignment of their goals ends up a convenient happenstance.
Verb
-
Eitay Mack, an Israeli lawyer who has petitioned the Israeli government to enforce controls over shipments of surveillance technology, believes Cellebrite has the capability to remotely prevent devices from operating.
-
If the taxes go unpaid after three years, the county would auction off the property deed to the highest bidder and the original homeowner could petition to get the post-debt profits.
Cite this Entry
“Pray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pray. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
