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
Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2026
The family smiles while dressed casually and barefoot, squinting from the sun's rays.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
If the mass coincides with the X-ray gas, the gravitational lensing effects will be co-located with the X-rays.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
Most phases of ice send the rays bouncing in just a couple different directions, since their crystal patterns repeat after a few molecules.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Closing blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the day helps block out those intense rays.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Bring a beach resort feel to your own home by outfitting your backyard with all the essentials—stylish lounge chairs, outdoor pillows, and yes, something to protect you from the sun's rays.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
The system studied by the team is known as Cygnus X-1 (Cyg X-1), located 7,000 light-years away and one of the brightest sources of X-rays in the sky.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The neo-bluegrass musician took to social media Monday to post photos of himself laid up in a hospital bed, along with multiple X-rays of the nuts and bolts now holding his leg together.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
The southern façade, for instance, is entirely solid—no windows, no openings—to shield the interior from the most brutal solar rays.
—Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2026
The family smiles while dressed casually and barefoot, squinting from the sun's rays.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
If the mass coincides with the X-ray gas, the gravitational lensing effects will be co-located with the X-rays.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
Most phases of ice send the rays bouncing in just a couple different directions, since their crystal patterns repeat after a few molecules.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Closing blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the day helps block out those intense rays.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Bring a beach resort feel to your own home by outfitting your backyard with all the essentials—stylish lounge chairs, outdoor pillows, and yes, something to protect you from the sun's rays.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
The system studied by the team is known as Cygnus X-1 (Cyg X-1), located 7,000 light-years away and one of the brightest sources of X-rays in the sky.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The neo-bluegrass musician took to social media Monday to post photos of himself laid up in a hospital bed, along with multiple X-rays of the nuts and bolts now holding his leg together.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rays
Noun
-
Natalia Bryant beams at the Calvin Klein euphoria Elixirs launch experience in Los Angeles on April 21.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The device works by comparing the time lag between two beams of light traveling through the fiber optic cable in the spiraling coils and back.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are no easy answers in education, but there are glimmers of hope.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
-
While the storm is looming, there are new glimmers of possibility—friends can become lovers, strangers can become friends on the subway, the supermarket aisles are charged with meaning.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Simone Ashley shines bright in a chartreuse high-low dress at The Devil Wears Prada 2 world premiere in New York City on April 20.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This is one area where Oceania certainly shines—there are 12 total dining venues on board, including dedicated restaurants and cafés.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The rest of the property radiates outwards from here, incorporating four restaurants, rooms and suites spread across a number of individual low-rise blocks, the Conrad Spa, and meeting and events space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Symptoms differ from strokes caused by a blockage in the brain, as a spinal stroke causes pain in the neck or back that radiates through the limbs, muscle weakness or numbness, incontinence and loss of sensation, such as feeling touch or temperature changes.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some splashes of color help enliven it too.—
Adam Williams
April 23,
New Atlas,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Naturally, the color palette revolves around a joyful, beachy vibe—all designed in shades of pink, citrus, and red, with splashes of leopard prints and snake textures.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Even if other tracks on BASS2 don’t quite rise to the same level, the record glows with new confidence.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a Mooi wallcovering where extinct animals hide within jungle fauna in one and a freestanding Aura by Antoniolupi sink that glows translucent yellow in the other.—
Sandra Barrera,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 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
-
Featuring bolder, thicker spots at the top and more refined, micro specks down the skirt, this mini dress makes all-day, fashionable wear easier than ever.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Silvery or mottled patches on leaves, brown or distorted petal edges, dark specks (feces) or flower buds that fail to open are signs of thrips.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rays. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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