as in begs
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 prays
This is the center where my father prays on Fridays.
—
Sarah Hassaine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
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
Sarah Hassaine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prays
Verb
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Its location off of a quiet courtyard feels ultra private, and the idyllic Bois de Boulogne begs its visitors to slow down.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Architectural Digest,
29 May 2026
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Stagg, though, begs to differ from the American's assessment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Perhaps that’s why Irish actor Colm Meaney has been called in to play the proprietor of a convenience store who, in short order, conspires to get Cameron a job alongside Tova, asks Tova out on a date, and is forever giving away coffee and other goods.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2026
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Trademark law asks whether the use misleads consumers about whether a company or person has produced or endorsed something.—
Daryl Lim,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prays. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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