as in begs
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 prays
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu prays in front of the remains of military diver Mohamed Mahudhee, during his funeral in Male, Maldives, Saturday, May 16, 2026.
—
CBS News, 17 May 2026
In 2015, the Los Angeles Times reported Villaraigosa was a consultant to Herbalife, a controversial multi-level marketing company that critics say prays on low-income would-be entrepreneurs.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Who prays to a woman, a real live person?
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Mamdani prays during iftar with taxi drivers Mamdani marked the month of Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month that concluded Thursday night, by attending 17 iftars around New York City.
—Katherine Koretski, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Isaac prays to God on her behalf, God answers the prayer, and Rebekah conceives.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026
Roger prays, and Amy takes her last breath.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
So everyone crosses their fingers, hopes mostly for good health and then prays that an extended late season break doesn’t derail the momentum the Stars have managed to create in the last 10 days.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
Instead, the 26-year-old gets ready, journals, prays and reads.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
CBS News, 17 May 2026
In 2015, the Los Angeles Times reported Villaraigosa was a consultant to Herbalife, a controversial multi-level marketing company that critics say prays on low-income would-be entrepreneurs.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Who prays to a woman, a real live person?
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Mamdani prays during iftar with taxi drivers Mamdani marked the month of Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month that concluded Thursday night, by attending 17 iftars around New York City.
—Katherine Koretski, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Isaac prays to God on her behalf, God answers the prayer, and Rebekah conceives.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026
Roger prays, and Amy takes her last breath.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
So everyone crosses their fingers, hopes mostly for good health and then prays that an extended late season break doesn’t derail the momentum the Stars have managed to create in the last 10 days.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
Instead, the 26-year-old gets ready, journals, prays and reads.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prays
Verb
-
Adonis yells as Gillis begs him to pull over.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
In one of three handwritten letters, Rodriguez-Singh begs state District Judge Julie Lugo, who this week recused herself from the case for a reason that is not clear, for help.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The film hands off its plot like a baton, passing from this dissatisfied shopper to a factory owner to her dead daughter-in-law (another ghost) who petitions the government for her civil rights despite being in the body of an appliance.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The city asks residents reporting violations to provide the location, date, time and type of activity observed.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
-
In the last few pages of the play, there’s something so powerful in the way Linda asks Willy to come to bed — the knowing and the tiredness and the strength and sadness in it.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prays. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
