as in begging
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner
I pray you: tell me where they went
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Recent Examples of praying
Citizens have had their front doors blown out, been hit with pepper balls for praying outside government facilities, been wrongfully charged with assaulting agents, and have seen their identification papers dismissed as fake and thus grounds for detainment.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Wapahi is tasked with sharing the importance of that return home with the community, and praying over the land where these bison will live.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
But when his murder is revealed at breakfast, Candiace (who was hoping and praying for his death) delivers a tour de force performance.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Join me in praying for the victims of such senseless violence and all the families of this church.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
According to the synagogue’s estimates provided in court records, between 60 and 70 people who consider themselves members have been praying at other locations.
—Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
If necessary, remind her that silent prayer is just as effective as praying aloud.
—Jeanne Phillips, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
No more rain dances or praying to gods for battle or superstitious nonsense, save hotels lacking a 13th floor or a few people in the woods of Wisconsin.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
Shortly after Ben-Gvir entered the Anderson House, protestors removed their shoes, laid down their flags and bowed their heads in the middle of the street to begin praying for the lives lost in the ongoing war in Gaza.
—Meredith Nierman, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Wapahi is tasked with sharing the importance of that return home with the community, and praying over the land where these bison will live.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
But when his murder is revealed at breakfast, Candiace (who was hoping and praying for his death) delivers a tour de force performance.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Join me in praying for the victims of such senseless violence and all the families of this church.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
According to the synagogue’s estimates provided in court records, between 60 and 70 people who consider themselves members have been praying at other locations.
—Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
If necessary, remind her that silent prayer is just as effective as praying aloud.
—Jeanne Phillips, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
No more rain dances or praying to gods for battle or superstitious nonsense, save hotels lacking a 13th floor or a few people in the woods of Wisconsin.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
Shortly after Ben-Gvir entered the Anderson House, protestors removed their shoes, laid down their flags and bowed their heads in the middle of the street to begin praying for the lives lost in the ongoing war in Gaza.
—Meredith Nierman, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for praying
Verb
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Those in charge — as in charge as anybody can be with every policy just a judge’s ruling away from being null and void — have been begging Congress for help for years, but to no avail.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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His parents also pleaded with him to drop the weapon while begging the cops not to shoot their son.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The chapter, East Chicago 3046-B, resurrected itself in November 2024 after nearly a decade by petitioning the state NAACP and was regranted its charter in February, its president, Benita White Arnold, said.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
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About 1,000 companies are petitioning the court to scrap the tariffs.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Praying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/praying. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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