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
  • The proposal takes aim at the state’s initiative petition process, the state’s century-old mechanism for direct democracy.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • According to city records, the Carnegie Boulevard petition was approved.
    — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 23 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
  • Katrina Shadix, a 58-year-old anti-bear-hunt activist in the Orlando area, found out through a public-records request that the FWC accessed her DAVID information 17 times between 2023 and 2025.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • One of the tenant union’s requests was for the city to use the health department’s authority to make emergency repairs to the buildings and refrain from condemning the property.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Definition of request
Noun
  • Building a free-flowing, attack-minded squad was the priority, but Keegan’s appeal stretched beyond the dressing room.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Few properties capture this boutique appeal quite like the Greek Revival estate Ashford Acres Inn, originally constructed in 1858.
    — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 22 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 30 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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