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
On Tuesday, Muslim worshippers, barred from praying at the Al-Aqsa mosque because of wartime restrictions, gathered outside the walls of the Old City to perform the Tarawih prayers of Ramadan.
—
Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Significance of Lent The 40-day period represents the time Jesus Christ spent fasting and praying in the desert before starting his public ministry.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
On a Friday in October, Chear knelt on a mat tucked under a tree, praying with a dozen other Muslim UNT community members.
—Milla Surjadi, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Frade’s views were echoed by other priests in South Florida, many of whom were praying this would mark the beginning of a better life for Cubans on the island.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
Hall County School District Superintendent Will Schofield said the district was heartbroken over Hughes’ death and praying for his family.
—Austin Mullen, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Another shows two boys praying by a statue of the Virgin Mary in an Italian courtyard.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Many of the businesses in the industrial complex were back open Thursday, but some workers said they were still rattled by what happened and are praying for everyone who was hurt.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Please join me in praying for US service members, our allies, and the innocent Iranian population that has been brutalized for decades.
—Twumasi Duah-Mensah, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026
Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Significance of Lent The 40-day period represents the time Jesus Christ spent fasting and praying in the desert before starting his public ministry.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
On a Friday in October, Chear knelt on a mat tucked under a tree, praying with a dozen other Muslim UNT community members.
—Milla Surjadi, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Frade’s views were echoed by other priests in South Florida, many of whom were praying this would mark the beginning of a better life for Cubans on the island.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
Hall County School District Superintendent Will Schofield said the district was heartbroken over Hughes’ death and praying for his family.
—Austin Mullen, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Another shows two boys praying by a statue of the Virgin Mary in an Italian courtyard.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Many of the businesses in the industrial complex were back open Thursday, but some workers said they were still rattled by what happened and are praying for everyone who was hurt.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Please join me in praying for US service members, our allies, and the innocent Iranian population that has been brutalized for decades.
—Twumasi Duah-Mensah, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for praying
Verb
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Everyone in your family will be begging for seconds.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
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With poor air quality adding to an environment begging for a change, the project will demolish, redirect and streamline traffic connections between Jack London Square, Chinatown and West Alameda over the next three years.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Twenty-two European ministers are petitioning the organizers of the Venice Biennale to disinvite Russia from the prestigious event’s upcoming sixty-first edition, to open March 9.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Numerous speakers echoed Ferguson’s concern, accusing some on the commission of privately petitioning the state government to bypass the residents who wanted a direct say in honorary namings.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Praying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/praying. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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