as in to beg
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner
I pray you: tell me where they went
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Recent Examples of pray
People of good will and faith pray for all victims, whether the crimes were committed by immigrants or citizens.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
This gave clergy and religious people a way to pray for the new archbishop and the diocese.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
For years, neighbors have come to pray at the chapel and purchase the sisters’ renowned pumpkin bread and candy.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
After the candle ceremony, some people left, and some stayed and prayed, while others chatted quietly, fondly recalling their memories of the Guthries.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
This gave clergy and religious people a way to pray for the new archbishop and the diocese.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
For years, neighbors have come to pray at the chapel and purchase the sisters’ renowned pumpkin bread and candy.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
After the candle ceremony, some people left, and some stayed and prayed, while others chatted quietly, fondly recalling their memories of the Guthries.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pray
Verb
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First there was Norwegian’s Sturla Holm Lægreid confessing to cheating on his girlfriend during a live interview after winning the bronze medal and tearfully begging her to come back (shockingly, humiliating his ex on national television didn’t work).—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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The current crop, by contrast, has been begging visitors to crawl back into the light.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last October, Nike petitioned to revoke or modify the subpoena.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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Charley had none of these and petitioned the court for an order to be transferred to the girls' team.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pray. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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