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 Our thoughts and prayers go out to the children and families of Brown Bear Daycare. — Conor Wight, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026 When evening came and the sky began to grow dark, Ruiz would bow to the statue again and say a prayer to Our Lady of the Dusk. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026 The religion places a particularly strong emphasis on creative pursuits and thus offerings often include written prayers, poetry, and song. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 The service will include worship and a dedicated time of focused prayer. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 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 petition was launched on Canada's parliamentary petitions portal, where citizens and residents of Canada can set up petitions to parliament.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But House Republican leader Vincent Candelora, who led the petition drive to defeat MacCormack, said fellow Republicans will continue to work against him.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of petition
Noun
  • Immediately after his plea, Mangione’s lawyers filed paperwork seeking to have the state case thrown out on double jeopardy grounds.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Friday’s big story on the cable news networks was the guilty plea of Luigi Mangione, the man who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of plea
Noun
  • Families can also participate in daily arts and crafts sessions, with materials provided on request and staff on hand to help kids create their own souvenirs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Friday’s hearing likely will address a disagreement between prosecutors and the defense over the retrial location – not necessarily over whether to move it, but over the defense’s new request to have it in Charleston specifically.
    — Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of request
Noun
  • He was sentenced to death in 1986, won an appeal for a new sentencing hearing and was again sentenced to death in 1989.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The mish-mash of different stands, for instance, at Harrogate Town’s Wetherby Road — now no longer part of the ’92’, following their relegation in May— gave the place a certain appeal, even though the National League felt a more natural home.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of appeal
Noun
  • Co-founded by Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter and entrepreneurs Brian Lee and Jesse Glass, Arena Club merges the physical and digital worlds of trading cards in a way that allows hobbyists to grade, collect, invest and sell on their app.
    — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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 20 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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