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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rays
Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
She was immediately admitted and underwent chest X-rays, which revealed a 10 cm mass in her chest.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Mattingly said after the game that X-rays were negative.
—CBS News, 16 June 2026
New kid in the block Sunscreens are supposed to protect against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and B rays (UVB).
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 15 June 2026
Ultraviolet radiation falls on the electromagnetic spectrum between X-rays and visible light.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
If little red dots are rapidly accreting supermassive black holes shrouded by dense gas envelopes, this would explain why these mystery objects are so faint in X-rays, as these cocoons should absorb this high-energy radiation.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 June 2026
Bemotrizinol provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays and has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
However, light-blocking car heat shields, often called sun shades, are an effective way to prevent UV rays from harming your car seats and other interior upholstery.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Noun
However, the material that swirls around the black hole can heat up and glow due to friction and tidal forces, emitting radio waves and X-rays.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
She was immediately admitted and underwent chest X-rays, which revealed a 10 cm mass in her chest.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Mattingly said after the game that X-rays were negative.
—CBS News, 16 June 2026
New kid in the block Sunscreens are supposed to protect against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and B rays (UVB).
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 15 June 2026
Ultraviolet radiation falls on the electromagnetic spectrum between X-rays and visible light.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
If little red dots are rapidly accreting supermassive black holes shrouded by dense gas envelopes, this would explain why these mystery objects are so faint in X-rays, as these cocoons should absorb this high-energy radiation.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 June 2026
Bemotrizinol provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays and has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
However, light-blocking car heat shields, often called sun shades, are an effective way to prevent UV rays from harming your car seats and other interior upholstery.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 June 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
-
One was a rotating disc that sent out beams of light.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
-
The interior measures 420 sq ft (39 sq m) and is finished in shiplap and drywall, with a tongue-and-groove feature wall and exposed timber beams, which are a nice touch.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
This cool pearl blonde glimmers against a buttery backdrop for a sparkling champagne effect.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
Still, there are some glimmers of hope.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
In an era when most Europeans regarded indigenous people as lesser beings—even sometimes as beasts—George Forster’s attitude shines out in the darkness of colonial history.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Compact and endlessly charming, Touch of Gold® Holly shines year-round with brilliant golden foliage that illuminates the garden.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The field absorbs solar radiation from the sun and radiates that heat back onto the pitch.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Heat radiates from the pages of this extraordinary novel about a poor family in rural Mississippi in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The lines are clean and sharp, the palette muted, approaching grayscale (which makes later splashes of color, like in the gaudy decor of a talk show or the blood-rust-red of a post-apocalyptic sky, pop even more), and motion within the frame is kept to a minimum.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
Hockney’s paintings of pool water and splashes demonstrated his obsession with capturing elemental natural phenomena, even in suburban settings.—
Mark Rozzo,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The speakeasy-style room glows with a gold-leaf ceiling, ochre velvet sofas, and an extravagant cocktail menu.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
His writing glows with his obvious love of plants and animals, not least his faithful dog, Roger.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
10 June 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
-
This looks like tiny black or reddish-brown specks that resemble coffee grounds.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
9 June 2026
-
But such interludes add up to small specks of stormclouds in the show’s otherwise sunny skies.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rays. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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