1
as in petitions
an address to God or a deity
he always directed a bedside prayer to God before going to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in appeals
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 prayers
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani wore an Arsenal tunic to Eid prayers in the Bronx.
—
Lauren Frayer, NPR, 29 May 2026
The New Year eventually came, bringing with it fresh hopes and prayers and celebrations.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Soka Gakkai members gather to study Buddhist principles, like practicing nonviolence and taking social action, and their practice consists of prayers, chanting and self-reflection in nature to achieve spiritual growth.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Other people’s prayers aren’t necessarily a commentary on your beliefs.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
The event’s Taoist roots encourage prayers for peace and safety.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
After prayers this morning, a group of Lebanese Americans marched in solidarity with Lebanon.
—Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 27 May 2026
The victim was kneeling in the street in the middle of his prayers with hundreds of other mosque congregants, when he was struck in the back.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Nadir Awad, 57 Awad, who lived just across the street from the mosque, attended daily for prayers.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Lauren Frayer, NPR, 29 May 2026
The New Year eventually came, bringing with it fresh hopes and prayers and celebrations.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Soka Gakkai members gather to study Buddhist principles, like practicing nonviolence and taking social action, and their practice consists of prayers, chanting and self-reflection in nature to achieve spiritual growth.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Other people’s prayers aren’t necessarily a commentary on your beliefs.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
The event’s Taoist roots encourage prayers for peace and safety.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
After prayers this morning, a group of Lebanese Americans marched in solidarity with Lebanon.
—Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 27 May 2026
The victim was kneeling in the street in the middle of his prayers with hundreds of other mosque congregants, when he was struck in the back.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Nadir Awad, 57 Awad, who lived just across the street from the mosque, attended daily for prayers.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prayers
Noun
-
Other residents have started petitions to stop the project, while city council members have offered public opposition.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
-
Multiple organizations have taken issue with the proposal, writing letters and submitting petitions to city officials opposing it.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Her newfound look appeals not only to the metropolitan crowd but also to fans in more rural areas.—
Kelsey Stiegman,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
-
There are other appeals and petitions as well.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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
Noun
-
In 2023, federal prosecutors in New York City announced guilty pleas by immigration attorneys accused of preparing fraudulent asylum applications and affidavits and coaching clients to lie under oath.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
-
Justice Department news releases that detailed guilty pleas, jury verdicts and prison sentences abruptly disappeared from government websites last week.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Guests are given her phone number for Whatsapp requests, such as a hard-to-book table at Francis Mallmann’s restaurant at Bodega Garzón or for tickets to José Igancio’s international film festival.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
Defining which channels are trusted for which requests.—
Steve Piper,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prayers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prayers. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
