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 Yesterday, tens of thousands of men and women gathered at the Grand Mosalla, a vast mosque and prayer complex in Tehran. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 6 July 2026 Iran’s top officials and brothers of the new supreme leader emerged into public view Sunday to attend funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. — Nasser Karimi, Fortune, 5 July 2026 When July 4, 1827 arrived, Black churches gathered in prayer and thanksgiving as legal slavery came to an end in New York. — Tunisia Morrison, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026 Funeral includes prayers and calls for revenge Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, a 97-year-old Shiite cleric, led the prayers at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla for Khamenei and his late family members. — Nasser Karimi, Chicago Tribune, 5 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. orison
Noun
  • Kunst said there’s currently a petition written and addressed to the office within the Vatican that works on the canonization process.
    — Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
  • If 25% of electors in either district were to sign a petition challenging the plan, the public would need to vote, which would then require a simple majority for the consolidation to move forward, according to Idaho Code.
    — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2026
Definition of petition
Noun
  • Ahead of the summit, Zelensky is using the attacks on Kyiv to renew his plea for allies to supply Ukraine with missiles for Patriot systems.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Robinson has not yet entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of plea
Noun
  • Trump weighs a return to war with Iran Sit’s attorney, Kate Corrigan, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
  • Plans for a data center in Henderson County are apparently on hold for now after the developer did not provide justification for a request to pull a maximum of nearly 2 billion gallons of water a year from Cedar Creek Lake.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
Definition of request
Noun
  • Hacky sack’s revival is digital in its distribution and analog in its appeal.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • His public appeal came after Russia bombarded Kyiv with drones and missiles in another deadly attack at the start of the week.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of appeal
Noun
  • 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
  • The ideal gig worker collects, organizes, analyzes and interprets large datasets while identifying trends, patterns and opportunities for growth.
    — ByBryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 12 May 2026
Definition of collect
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 11 Jul. 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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