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
Dal Pino was arrested while praying in a nearby church the following day, according to the Italian news agency ANSA.
—
Adam England, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Thinking of and praying for the welfare of others is one way to cultivate compassion, something much needed in our world right now.
—David Kay, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Honoring Catalonia’s Christian traditions Earlier Wednesday, Leo celebrated the centuries-old Catalan tradition of popular piety by praying at Montserrat, a mountain complex outside the city that is dear to many Catalans.
—Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Leo celebrated their centuries-old tradition of popular piety by praying at Montserrat, a mountain complex outside the city that is dear to many Catalans.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Before the march set off for the Rose Garden near the Knesset, Rabbi Tamar Elad-Appelbaum recited the Traveler’s Prayer, praying for the marchers’ safety and alluding to Banki’s death nearly 11 years before.
—Theia Chatelle, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2026
One person watching practice read the Lord’s Prayer to his viewers, praying for good health for the players.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Wiggins noted that her family is also praying for McCollum, who was sentenced to life behind bars with the opportunity for parole after 15 years, which was to be served consecutively with a 10-12 year sentence for a separate manslaughter case.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
The series gets underway on Sunday, and Texas Tech better start praying there aren't any ladybugs in the dugout.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Adam England, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Thinking of and praying for the welfare of others is one way to cultivate compassion, something much needed in our world right now.
—David Kay, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Honoring Catalonia’s Christian traditions Earlier Wednesday, Leo celebrated the centuries-old Catalan tradition of popular piety by praying at Montserrat, a mountain complex outside the city that is dear to many Catalans.
—Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Leo celebrated their centuries-old tradition of popular piety by praying at Montserrat, a mountain complex outside the city that is dear to many Catalans.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Before the march set off for the Rose Garden near the Knesset, Rabbi Tamar Elad-Appelbaum recited the Traveler’s Prayer, praying for the marchers’ safety and alluding to Banki’s death nearly 11 years before.
—Theia Chatelle, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2026
One person watching practice read the Lord’s Prayer to his viewers, praying for good health for the players.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Wiggins noted that her family is also praying for McCollum, who was sentenced to life behind bars with the opportunity for parole after 15 years, which was to be served consecutively with a 10-12 year sentence for a separate manslaughter case.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
The series gets underway on Sunday, and Texas Tech better start praying there aren't any ladybugs in the dugout.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for praying
Verb
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Everyone loves the idea of packing cute sandals for a summer Europe trip, until they’re covered in blisters halfway through the day and begging to call a taxi.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
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When the chain filed for bankruptcy eight years later, fans tagged Beyoncé online, begging her to save it.—
Rita Omokha,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Later that month, Mace introduced a resolution to expel Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida, after petitioning to remove his committee assignments last year.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
9 June 2026
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The children's father was not named by police, but a man named in court records petitioning for divorce from Algeri has shared several posts on his social media about the children's disappearance.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Praying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/praying. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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