as in begging
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner
I pray you: tell me where they went
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of praying
The idealized image drawn from legend shows Washington praying as a golden light illuminates him and his white horse, during the winter of 1777-8, at a time of uncertainty for the American Revolution.
—
Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 May 2026
Another promotional video for Rededicate 250 blends various Christian and American imagery — scenes of a cross laid on an American flag, a robed choir, people raising their hands in worship — along with a brief scene of a man praying while wearing a Jewish skullcap.
—Peter Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Every now and then, a car slows to a crawl before pulling over beside the memorial, the people inside sitting silently behind fogged windows, perhaps reminiscing, perhaps praying, perhaps simply trying to make sense of a loss too enormous to truly understand.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
The Associated Press and USA Today reported that the churchgoers honored the children by wearing pink, purple and blue, visiting their white caskets with photos of each of the children — some alongside their favorite Disney characters — as well as praying and singing as a group.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
While the Pompeii archaeological site draws millions of tourists each year, the sanctuary attracts Catholic pilgrims who are particularly devoted to praying the rosary.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Everyone involved in this process, save for the student-athletes and their agents, is praying that a more rigid structure that provides cost certainty will be implemented within the next year.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Sheltering as the storm hit The three took cover in a bathroom, praying as the storm tore through their homes.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Georgia is undergoing one of the worst spring droughts in history, and while much of the state is praying for some rain, southern and coastal Georgia are in desperate need.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 May 2026
Another promotional video for Rededicate 250 blends various Christian and American imagery — scenes of a cross laid on an American flag, a robed choir, people raising their hands in worship — along with a brief scene of a man praying while wearing a Jewish skullcap.
—Peter Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Every now and then, a car slows to a crawl before pulling over beside the memorial, the people inside sitting silently behind fogged windows, perhaps reminiscing, perhaps praying, perhaps simply trying to make sense of a loss too enormous to truly understand.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
The Associated Press and USA Today reported that the churchgoers honored the children by wearing pink, purple and blue, visiting their white caskets with photos of each of the children — some alongside their favorite Disney characters — as well as praying and singing as a group.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
While the Pompeii archaeological site draws millions of tourists each year, the sanctuary attracts Catholic pilgrims who are particularly devoted to praying the rosary.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Everyone involved in this process, save for the student-athletes and their agents, is praying that a more rigid structure that provides cost certainty will be implemented within the next year.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Sheltering as the storm hit The three took cover in a bathroom, praying as the storm tore through their homes.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Georgia is undergoing one of the worst spring droughts in history, and while much of the state is praying for some rain, southern and coastal Georgia are in desperate need.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for praying
Verb
-
Beyond a few days with warmer temperatures, the real sign that spring has arrived is when my nose starts to run, my throat begins to itch, and my eyes are begging for eye drops every morning.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
-
Over the next 24 hours, the complaint alleges, McElroy was at the mercy of jail staff members who failed to call 911 as other inmates beat their cell windows and tables, begging for help.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Last year, she was also impeached by the House but survived by successfully petitioning the Supreme Court to declare the impeachment bid unconstitutional on a technicality.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
The city is petitioning a Tarrant County court to place the Mary Elizabeth Apartments into receivership over unpaid water bills and code violations.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Praying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/praying. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
