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
Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy.
—
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
As church attendees left the theater, some rushed to family members and friends waiting outside, hugging, weeping, and praying.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Clinics were vandalized, pro-life organizations targeted, and activists urged the Biden administration to arrest grandmothers praying outside clinics.
—Amy Stephens, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Some Jews also participate in the Tashlich ceremony, praying near a body of water and tossing pieces of bread or other food into it to symbolize casting away their sins.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2025
The pair endured an agonizing drive to the hospital, unsure of Lulu's status — praying the entire way.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Bill Gibson will exhibit a charming portrait of his granddaughter praying (perhaps for peace) set against a background of clouds.
—Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
His partner is in shock and demands accountability, praying the suspects are not released.
—Alexis McAdams, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Going into that last kick, just praying for an opportunity.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
As church attendees left the theater, some rushed to family members and friends waiting outside, hugging, weeping, and praying.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Clinics were vandalized, pro-life organizations targeted, and activists urged the Biden administration to arrest grandmothers praying outside clinics.
—Amy Stephens, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Some Jews also participate in the Tashlich ceremony, praying near a body of water and tossing pieces of bread or other food into it to symbolize casting away their sins.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2025
The pair endured an agonizing drive to the hospital, unsure of Lulu's status — praying the entire way.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Bill Gibson will exhibit a charming portrait of his granddaughter praying (perhaps for peace) set against a background of clouds.
—Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
His partner is in shock and demands accountability, praying the suspects are not released.
—Alexis McAdams, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Going into that last kick, just praying for an opportunity.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for praying
Verb
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Sequins, rhinestones, and that dazzling aqua-orange palette are practically begging to be worn, danced in, and yes, painted right onto our nails.—
Abby Dupes,
Allure,
26 Sep. 2025
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Hours earlier, his team was begging us & the Adams campaign to join their publicity stunt lawsuit against @ABC7.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So local residents raised the funds instead, with the Prescott Kiwanis Club petitioning citizens to buy $1 shares of the hotel, ultimately raising a total of $150,000.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
24 Sep. 2025
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The investor reaction isn’t surprising given the constant thrum of anti-vaccine misinformation since the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as Kennedy’s own role through the Children’s Defense Fund back in May 2021 in petitioning the federal government to revoke authorization of COVID-19 vaccines.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Praying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/praying. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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