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
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
In fact, praying to saints or ancestors elevated them above the status of mere mortals, effectively denying the singular might of God.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 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
And the bipartisan Washington consensus eschews reforms in favor of praying that the economy magically grows its way out of this fiscal disaster.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
His political campaign is spinning into high gear, posting videos showing him as a pious governor holding a Bible, praying and hugging pastors.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
So many people, of every faith and of no faith at all, praying for her return.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Please keep praying without ceasing.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
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
In fact, praying to saints or ancestors elevated them above the status of mere mortals, effectively denying the singular might of God.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 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
And the bipartisan Washington consensus eschews reforms in favor of praying that the economy magically grows its way out of this fiscal disaster.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
His political campaign is spinning into high gear, posting videos showing him as a pious governor holding a Bible, praying and hugging pastors.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
So many people, of every faith and of no faith at all, praying for her return.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Please keep praying without ceasing.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for praying
Verb
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Watching Jalen Brunson flopping the other night and watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander begging for calls like a Premier League player was like watching a championship fight.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Savannah and her siblings have posted several impassioned pleas to their mother's kidnapper, begging the person to let Nancy go.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Chandee is petitioning for his release in federal court.—
Huo Jingnan,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2026
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Additionally, Mecklenburg County is rich with top leaders within the healthcare industry so moving to strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers is critical in addition to petitioning the county to expand mental health services inside the jail.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Praying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/praying. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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