1
2
as in glimmer
a very small amount
the tapping sound ceased, extinguishing the last ray of hope that the trapped miners were still alive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to shine
to emit rays of light
klieg lights were raying against the nighttime sky at the Hollywood premiere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to radiate
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point
laugh wrinkles rayed out from the corners of the old man's eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ray
Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
Anaconda is now available on digital, then on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on March 17.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ray
Noun
That’s guaranteed to be a ray of polar sunshine not only for those who missed out last year, but also for travelers ready to venture to one of the planet’s most remote edges with COMO’s Shambhala wellness and culinary program at their fingertips.
—Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
Anaconda is now available on digital, then on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on March 17.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
That’s why countries around the world agreed in December 2025 to add more than 70 shark and ray species to an international wildlife trade treaty’s list for full or partial protection.
—Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ray
Noun
-
Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Alipio tied Chiles for best score on the balance beam.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For Palestinians on the ground, the crossing reopening would be a small glimmer of light.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Players slip on shoulder pads, helmets and cleats and go through a series of drills and game-like situations to recapture a glimmer of their football past.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Her shining brown curls are carefully arranged each morning, tied up with pink ribbon, festooned with flowers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Choice is about making sure every student is in the right environment to shine their brightest.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
An ice dam occurs when the snow piled on your roof begins to melt from the sun or the heat radiating from your home.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Blue tangs radiate different colors, depending on their moods.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For families The resort is family-friendly, with a selection of daily children’s activities at the kids’ club and a separate splash pad pool area with a waterslide, shooting waterspouts, treehouse and more.—
Lizbeth Scordo,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
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Not for escapism, per se – Roseberry’s Schiaparelli show, one of his finest and weirdest to date, vibrated with implications about our world’s rigid definition of beauty, with horns, feathers and splashes of neon – but for indulgence.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Coughlan glowed in Penelope's wedding dress and shared a look with her husband-to-be, Colin.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Using these newer observations, the team was finally able connect the glowing ring of material around M87* to the base of the jet erupting from this supermassive black hole, giving a probable origin point for this jet.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The company’s share of its agreement with California — $55 million — is barely a speck on its balance sheet; revenue for Alphabet, Google’s parent company, topped $102 billion in its most recent quarterly earnings report.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Volcanic specks mushroom up from topaz seas, like a real estate brochure for The Man With The Golden Gun.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
People crafted narratives out of suspicions, rumors and hints, to fill a desperate need for an explanation.—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Whereas Boyd was plain-spoken on purpose, Wheeler’s diction was always elevated and precise, with a hint of sarcasm.—
Nell Freudenberger,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ray. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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