rays 1 of 2

noun

plural of ray
1
as in beams
a narrow sharply defined line of light radiating from an object two red eyes reflected in the ray of light from the flashlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

rays

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ray
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

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 rays
Noun
One of the first X-rays captured via photograph showed the skeleton of Röntgen’s wife’s hand. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 Known for its ability to protect against UVA and UVB rays, the ingredient pairs a few other filters with the brand’s Cell-Ox Shield technology, which provides antioxidant protection against environmental stressors. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026 These jets collide with cosmic gas, which generates afterglows seen across visible light, radio waves, and X-rays. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026 And on August 1st, at the peak of monsoon season, the No Desert Data Center Coalition’s protest began in the early evening, when the sun’s punishing rays were starting to give way to a muted desert sunset. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026 Long-lasting GRBs also seem to be more active in the X-rays rather than the gamma rays. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Look for ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in your sunscreen, which keep both UVB and the more dangerous UVA rays at bay. — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 For many years people believed that light was made out of particles flying in straight rays. — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 In short, the researchers somehow focused the X-rays into an area roughly 100,000 times smaller than the cross-section of a typical human hair. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
Scientists have long grouped sharks together as a natural evolutionary unit, meaning every shark species shares a common ancestor that rays and skates do not. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rays
  1. beams
  2. glimmers
  3. shines
  4. radiates
  5. splashes
  6. glows
  7. branches
  8. specks
Noun
  • Instead, dirt paths and stalks of grass populated the area, and steel beams lay on rocks along the coastline of Lake Michigan.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • This produces orthogonal modes that are mutually incoherent, even when the original beams overlap spatially.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of beams
Noun
  • Curt Cignetti has not just provided a championship mindset for the passionate fans that were sitting through days of blowouts and small glimmers of hope in past years.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Crow—the ever-optimist, as her body of work proves—clings on to the glimmers of hope from leaders of the world who do show us the best parts of humanity.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of glimmers
Verb
  • In addition, to highlight the unprecedented anxiety many California voters are feeling, the poll also shines a light on frustrations voters have with the state’s ballot propositions.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Beyond Manhattan’s old-money dynasties, The Gilded Age shines a light on a thriving Black elite whose stories have rarely been told on television.
    — Paul Chi, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of shines
Verb
  • Today, calling from London on a bright afternoon, Melanie radiates optimism.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Joy radiates from the image, bringing a sense of reclamation not only to Destin, but also to the sea of people who see themselves in him.
    — Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of radiates
Noun
  • Picture windows dominate the 30 ample rooms, which are pleasingly clad in unfinished wood and shocking splashes of lime.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In the distance was a bronze statue of Louis XIV on a rearing horse in the majestic Place des Victoires, its stone pedestal stained by protesters’ splashes of red paint.
    — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of splashes
Verb
  • The light ring briefly glows green when the camera is connected to the hub, shines blue when two-way talk is active, and is red when the Smart Sentry or siren is triggered.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • And while the interest from the other teams is generally tied to a desire get consistent production in their running game, the Packers' interest glows in neon because Jacobs' days with the Packers seem numbered.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of glows
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
Definition of branches
Noun
  • The source was generally in good condition, but mold spots and dense clusters of small white specks required careful treatment.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Breakouts can look like milder, painless white bumps or dark specks known as whiteheads and blackheads, or more painful red bumps and deeper cysts — a mark of cystic acne.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of specks

Browse Nearby Words

rayless
rays
raze
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Cite this Entry

“Rays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rays. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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