1
2
as in glimmers
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 shines
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 radiates
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 rays
Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
Gamma rays are produced only when particles from these two states collide and annihilate—which means some of the dark matter must be in the excited state in the first place.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
Update Your Lighting Scheme Your seasonal indoor lighting strategy can take a cue from the longer days and brighter rays coming in through the windows, taking a less-is-more approach.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
For mothers who love spending time outdoors, this cotton-linen hat will protect them from the sun’s strong rays.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
This variety produces yellow rays and discs.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
Multiwavelength data, from X-rays through radio waves, tracks the transport of energy and matter.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
Rice was injured fielding a low pickoff toss from Max Fried in the third, and the Yankees said X-rays were negative and the first baseman is day to day.
—Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The southern façade, for instance, is entirely solid—no windows, no openings—to shield the interior from the most brutal solar rays.
—Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
Gamma rays are the most energetic type of light rays, typically marking the last gasp of a dying star or the cataclysmic clap of two neutron stars.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
Gamma rays are produced only when particles from these two states collide and annihilate—which means some of the dark matter must be in the excited state in the first place.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
Update Your Lighting Scheme Your seasonal indoor lighting strategy can take a cue from the longer days and brighter rays coming in through the windows, taking a less-is-more approach.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
For mothers who love spending time outdoors, this cotton-linen hat will protect them from the sun’s strong rays.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
This variety produces yellow rays and discs.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
Multiwavelength data, from X-rays through radio waves, tracks the transport of energy and matter.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
Rice was injured fielding a low pickoff toss from Max Fried in the third, and the Yankees said X-rays were negative and the first baseman is day to day.
—Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The southern façade, for instance, is entirely solid—no windows, no openings—to shield the interior from the most brutal solar rays.
—Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rays
Noun
-
Transported deep underground, the steel beams will be used for the construction of massive detector modules that will help Fermilab engineers to study neutrinos, some of the most common and least understood particles in the universe.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
-
The first step involves getting 10 million pounds of steel beams underground through a 20-foot-wide shaft—and that only covers the first container.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
There are no easy answers in education, but there are glimmers of hope.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
-
While the storm is looming, there are new glimmers of possibility—friends can become lovers, strangers can become friends on the subway, the supermarket aisles are charged with meaning.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
They were not shown basic empathy, which shines a [spotlight] on systemic problems.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
They were drawn by the cheap land, low population, strong wind, and sun that shines an average of about 300 days a year.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Mosquitoes target spots where heat radiates most, like the head and neck.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
-
The rest of the property radiates outwards from here, incorporating four restaurants, rooms and suites spread across a number of individual low-rise blocks, the Conrad Spa, and meeting and events space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Caffeine powders, energy drink mixes and juice splashes can pile on stimulants and sugar quickly, especially when stacked together in the same drink.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
-
Morning is generally better than evening, because any splashes have time to dry before nightfall.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the western horizon, Venus glows brightly at sunset, while Jupiter hangs just above it.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
Even if other tracks on BASS2 don’t quite rise to the same level, the record glows with new confidence.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His demise, paired with the disappearance of mobster-type Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale), sets the trio on the first phase of their adventures, which inevitably branches into fresh red herrings in customary Only Murders fashion.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
From the summit of Monte Gambarogno, the towns hugging the shore of Lake Maggiore appear as tiny specks, dwarfed by the snowcapped southern Alps to the north.—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
-
Silvery or mottled patches on leaves, brown or distorted petal edges, dark specks (feces) or flower buds that fail to open are signs of thrips.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rays. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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