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
All of their gods and prayers and dances are aimed to praying for the Earth, giving back to the Earth, praying for rain, praying for good crops.
—
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Known as the Dragon Slayer, he’s often shown meditating, praying, waxing philosophical, and pontificating on nobility, integrity and honor.
—Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The goal is for soldiers and families on their knees praying — in schools — to a Christian God.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
For Flanagan to be beatified, the postulator — the person responsible for advancing the cause — has to find someone who was miraculously healed by praying for Flanagan’s intercession.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
For Flanagan to be beatified, the postulator — the person responsible for advancing the cause — has to find someone who was miraculously healed by praying for Flanagan's intercession.
—CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Henderson reportedly continued to vandalize the church while the witness followed him, praying.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 2026
But police prevented them from praying and pushed them away.
—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
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Known as the Dragon Slayer, he’s often shown meditating, praying, waxing philosophical, and pontificating on nobility, integrity and honor.
—Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The goal is for soldiers and families on their knees praying — in schools — to a Christian God.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
For Flanagan to be beatified, the postulator — the person responsible for advancing the cause — has to find someone who was miraculously healed by praying for Flanagan’s intercession.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
For Flanagan to be beatified, the postulator — the person responsible for advancing the cause — has to find someone who was miraculously healed by praying for Flanagan's intercession.
—CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Henderson reportedly continued to vandalize the church while the witness followed him, praying.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 2026
But police prevented them from praying and pushed them away.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for praying
Verb
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These questions linger as Ion goes about his day, looking for work, begging for change, and scarfing down a meal—moments that flash by in quick, propulsive blips.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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The officer was able to keep distance between himself and Jones, while Jones’ sister could be heard screaming and begging police not to shoot him, according to the footage.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Larionov urged others to join by petitioning the court via email, and the number of plaintiffs swelled to 105.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
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About six months ago, my friend Gerry Goldberg and I co-founded the Andie’s Light campaign, petitioning the city councils of Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village for a traffic light at Belleview Avenue and Franklin Street.—
Jerry Presley,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Praying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/praying. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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