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
Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Rumfield, who got plunked in the right hand by Emmet Sheehan, had X-rays taken at Dodger Stadium.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
These gamma-rays strike the outer shell of supernova debris and are turned into lower-energy optical light, explaining why these superluminous supernovas are so bright in visible light.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 May 2026
Guerrero, the club said, went for X-rays on his right elbow, which returned negative for a fracture.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The release stated that today, a third of sharks, rays and chimaeras are vulnerable to extinction.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Have a spritz, catch some rays, and, most definitely, see a show.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Each of the 22 rays is represented in the primary somatosensory cortex by a distinct morphological module — a stripe of tissue identifiable under cytochrome oxidase staining, arranged in a pattern that mirrors the star’s geometry.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Visible light waves are found in the EM spectrum, as well as X-rays, radio waves, and more.
—Margherita Bassi, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Noun
Roberts doesn’t expect Ohtani to need X-rays on his hand, saying the pitch mostly hit the padding on his batting gloves.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Rumfield, who got plunked in the right hand by Emmet Sheehan, had X-rays taken at Dodger Stadium.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
These gamma-rays strike the outer shell of supernova debris and are turned into lower-energy optical light, explaining why these superluminous supernovas are so bright in visible light.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 May 2026
Guerrero, the club said, went for X-rays on his right elbow, which returned negative for a fracture.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The release stated that today, a third of sharks, rays and chimaeras are vulnerable to extinction.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Have a spritz, catch some rays, and, most definitely, see a show.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Each of the 22 rays is represented in the primary somatosensory cortex by a distinct morphological module — a stripe of tissue identifiable under cytochrome oxidase staining, arranged in a pattern that mirrors the star’s geometry.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Visible light waves are found in the EM spectrum, as well as X-rays, radio waves, and more.
—Margherita Bassi, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 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
Noun
-
Built from the bones of a 12th-century hostelry, its hub is a vast, glamorous lounge bar complete with mixologists shaking modern-day mocktails under the ancient beams.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
Fathers protecting newborns Wind roars with such force the steel beams supporting the hospital’s top floors twist 4 inches.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
While math achievement saw a rebound after the pandemic, reading continued to decline through 2024, with 2025 offering glimmers of a turnaround, the report said.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
The Melissa is a slightly wider shape for more coverage and balance on longer or wider faces, with a chunky gold hinge that glimmers in the sun.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Rolling into a different NBA city each time, the trio explores the culture of the town, learns about the team that calls it home and shines the spotlight on one of its standout players.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
22 May 2026
-
Eva Longoria shimmers and shines in a gorgeous maroon dress with cutouts at the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 19.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Now 35 and about to embark on his 14th consecutive home Test summer, England’s greatest batter still radiates a boyish quality that no amount of stubble or crow’s feet can dim.—
James Wallace,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
-
Rumer Willis knows that beauty radiates from within.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The show combines nontraditional percussion, marshmallows, paint splashes, plumbing, black lights and streaming streamers.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
-
You’ll be thrown around in your seat, which moves in sync with the action, along with thumps in the back, splashes of water, blasts of air, smoke, and flashes of light.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
The bright light of Alnitak, the easternmost star in Orion's Belt, illuminates the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) to the left of the Horsehead, while Alnilam — the middle star in the hunter's belt — glows blue-white in the upper left.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
28 May 2026
-
The historic lobby glows with warm lighting, inviting guests to linger in what has become Seattle’s communal parlor.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 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
-
As in Kourliandski’s quartet, specks and splatters of sound are interspersed with silences.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Their faces lost distinction, their bodies smaller and smaller and then only specks in the overvoid.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rays. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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