pray

verb

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\ ˈprā

prayed; praying; prays

Definition of pray

transitive verb

1 : entreat, implore —often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea pray be careful

2 : to get or bring by praying

intransitive verb

1 : to make a request in a humble manner

2 : to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving

Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing pray Learn More About pray

Examples of pray in a Sentence

There's little else to do now but hope and pray. The minister said, “Let us pray.” He prayed that they would have the strength to go on. He prayed that he would find a parking spot.

Recent Examples on the Web Some investors pray to their god for financial success. — James Mackintosh, WSJ, 14 June 2022 Hold it about two inches away from your armpit and pray for two seconds to cover the skin in product. — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 June 2022 But with no quick fix, there's little consumers can do other than buckle up and pray for good weather. — Allison Morrow, CNN, 31 May 2022 In this moment, in Buffalo, hundreds of congregants dressed in Celestine Chaney’s favorite pink extended their right hands to pray for her son, who would shepherd his family forward. — New York Times, 28 May 2022 Evelyn Hawk played the piano and her husband was a prayer warrior always willing to pray for those who were ill or just needed to hear the Lord’s word. — Alexis Stevens, ajc, 13 Apr. 2022 Shamina Hussain told the queen that 500 friends and family around the world dialed in to one conference call to pray for her husband. — Danica Kirka, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2022 Community members pray together at a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at Rob Elementary School on May 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. — Phil Helsel, NBC News, 26 May 2022 India’s Supreme Court later overturned that judgment and allowed Muslims to pray in the mosque. — Sheikh Saaliq And Krutika Pathi, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pray.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.