as in to beg
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner
I pray you: tell me where they went
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 pray
Parishioners prayed, laughed and shared a meal.
—
María Teresa Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who used to regularly pray at the shrine, sent a religious ornament instead for the second time as Japan's leader, triggering criticism from China and South Korea.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Inside a 10th Street parking garage, Dena Burch was praying for her life and that of her nieces.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The rabbi of Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, northwest London, which was attacked by arsonists over the weekend, took to social media on Sunday to show members of his congregation gathering in his home to pray.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
María Teresa Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who used to regularly pray at the shrine, sent a religious ornament instead for the second time as Japan's leader, triggering criticism from China and South Korea.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Inside a 10th Street parking garage, Dena Burch was praying for her life and that of her nieces.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The rabbi of Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, northwest London, which was attacked by arsonists over the weekend, took to social media on Sunday to show members of his congregation gathering in his home to pray.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pray
Verb
-
At the end of regret-flow plotlines, husbands tend to beg their wives for forgiveness by dropping to their knees.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Rollins stormed off the set, leaving Brandt and the rest of his co-hosts stunned, with the latter begging the former to return and finish his segment.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The city of Meriden is also petitioning to retain custody of the two cats with a hearing scheduled for Friday at the Meriden Superior Court.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In 2009, after petitioning the court to have her ailing father placed under a conservatorship, Catherine was permitted to visit Peter Falk, who was suffering from dementia.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pray. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
