prayer

noun

ˈprer How to pronounce prayer (audio)
Definition of prayernext
1
as in petition
an address to God or a deity he always directed a bedside prayer to God before going to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in plea
an earnest request we hope that the governor will hear our prayer and do something about this pressing problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 prayer On Sunday, residents held prayers despite damage to the entrance. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026 But such worries are compounded by the act’s potential disruption of Shacharit, the set of morning prayers serving as a spiritual preparation for the day. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 July 2026 After the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, interpreters understood Temple service broadly in terms of study, prayer, and upholding the commandments. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026 Catherine Coldstream entered a Carmelite monastery at age 24, and lived a life of prayer and obedience for 12 years. — Terry Gross, NPR, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for prayer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prayer
  1. petition
  2. plea
  3. request
  4. appeal
  5. collect
  6. thanksgiving
  7. orison
Noun
  • As part of his petition, Kohberger also filed a motion and affidavit in support of appointment of counsel.
    — Alex Brizee July 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
  • The injunction petition said she was later taken into custody under Florida's Baker Act, which allows authorities to temporarily detain a person for a mental health examination under certain circumstances.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of petition
Noun
  • His defense and the prosecution had agreed to a plea deal that would result in a fine and no probation or jail time, the attorneys said in court.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
  • Her husband, Cailen Waddell, shared an impassioned plea for Liz’s safe return in a July 24 Facebook post.
    — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
Definition of plea
Noun
  • The public information request process dragged on for several months.
    — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The district did not immediately respond to The Bee’s request for comment.
    — Chaewon Chung Updated July 31, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of request
Noun
  • An appeal, on the other hand, can only consider evidence that’s already in the record and is typically filed when a defendant is questioning a judge’s decision.
    — Alex Brizee July 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
  • At the same time, Ghana and other African nations have made more deliberate appeals to descendants of the diaspora through citizenship, residency, tourism and investment initiatives.
    — Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of appeal
Noun
  • Unlike many other license-plate reader vendors, Basterrechea said, the data that Axon’s cameras collect is owned by the law enforcement agency itself.
    — Rose Evans July 23, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026
  • The stickers come in packs that contain seven to eight stickers with different images to trade and collect.
    — Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026
Definition of collect
Noun
  • In the letters that Wilson collected, there are countless appeals to God, prayers for help and understanding and prayers of thanksgiving for strength and mercy.
    — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • In fact, some Thanksgivings have seen multiple balloons go down in the parade.
    — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Definition of thanksgiving
Noun
  • Kibandi discussed with us about the power of art in creating change and how photography can be a vehicle for culture expanding orisons for girls and women.
    — Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025
Definition of orison

Browse Nearby Words

prayed
prayer
prayerful
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Cite this Entry

“Prayer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prayer. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prayer

Nglish: Translation of prayer for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prayer

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