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
McEntire, who's praying for Parton's speedy recovery, hasn't spoken to her fellow country music legend since putting up the video.
—
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
The whole album is full of sweaty men driving around alone at night, praying for some rock & roll salvation on the radio.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
Some are praying, others are posing and the grandeur of the churches makes even the most dramatic of designer clothing look small — and spare.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Your prayers will be answered, keep praying.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
And Wise is hoping and praying for an end to the federal shutdown.
—Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2025
She’s talked openly about praying for the right type of man to come into her life, as well as her son Future’s, and Wilson was certainly that.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
On a street in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, Reverend Ciera Bates-Chamberlain stood in front of a five-story apartment complex praying with other city faith leaders and residents.
—Connor Greene, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
And if a pastor can be pepper sprayed for praying outdoors in front of cameras, what could happen during church raids with fewer witnesses?
—Rev. Nathan Empsall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
The whole album is full of sweaty men driving around alone at night, praying for some rock & roll salvation on the radio.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
Some are praying, others are posing and the grandeur of the churches makes even the most dramatic of designer clothing look small — and spare.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Your prayers will be answered, keep praying.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
And Wise is hoping and praying for an end to the federal shutdown.
—Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2025
She’s talked openly about praying for the right type of man to come into her life, as well as her son Future’s, and Wilson was certainly that.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
On a street in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, Reverend Ciera Bates-Chamberlain stood in front of a five-story apartment complex praying with other city faith leaders and residents.
—Connor Greene, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
And if a pastor can be pepper sprayed for praying outdoors in front of cameras, what could happen during church raids with fewer witnesses?
—Rev. Nathan Empsall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for praying
Verb
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After making its first appearance at the 2024 Live Más Live event, the dessert quickly built a cult-like reputation online, with fans sharing mockups, memes and petitions begging for a real release.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Yep, the 115 is the go-to when the faucet’s turned on and the trees are begging for tracks.—
Kimberly Beekman,
Outside,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The discovery showcases the diversity of life that exists in a place experiencing rapid climate change — which is why scientists are petitioning for the Weddell Sea’s fragile ecosystem to be protected by law.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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Bijou Phillips, the estranged wife of Danny Masterson, is reportedly petitioning a California court to change her 11-year-old daughter's name.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Praying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/praying. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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