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 The smiling, amiable android understands very little about her surroundings, believing that the sun (which recharges her batteries) is a deity that listens to her prayers to be chosen by a human. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 We're deeply saddened to hear of his passing, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 There was now a Kalshi Concourse in the arena, and outside, a content creator wearing a Kalshi T-shirt led a prayer circle before tip-off on Tuesday. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026 Receiving that crown of life comes through diligent prayer, and we are helped along the way at various checkpoints. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct. 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
  • Among the 105 people who were ultimately arrested, 75 are believed to have been deported to their home countries, according to local media, and 26 were released from ICE custody after their lawyers filed habeas corpus petitions.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In May, an Alberta court ruled that a separatist petition seeking to trigger the referendum violated Indigenous rights because the province had failed to consult First Nations.
    — Sheena Rossiter, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of petition
Noun
  • In August 2023, Bangs offered LaGrone an earlier plea agreement under which he would have been sentenced to 25 years in prison, according to a record in the district clerk’s file.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • An Eagle man charged with animal cruelty in the shooting deaths of two caged cats was ordered to serve a total of 14 days in jail after accepting a plea deal in August, according to court records.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of plea
Noun
  • The request, obtained by the Washington Examiner, came in a Wednesday letter from Mike Davis, founder and president of the Article III Project, a conservative legal advocacy group.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • It is held by an escrow agent, usually the title company or a broker, who is not permitted to hand it to either side on request.
    — Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of request
Noun
  • Admittedly, the album’s ’90s sound palette has echoes of millennial nostalgia bait—but then again, when has nostalgia not been part of Hemsworth’s appeal?
    — Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The government filed an emergency appeal asking the justices to lift a lower court decision halting construction.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of appeal
Noun
  • There are more at the edge than at the center, and this imbalance drives a current that graphite electrodes collect.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The issue arises when dust, pet dander, and other debris collect around the TV’s vents.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prayer

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