as in begging
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner
I pray you: tell me where they went
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of praying
Eventually the land tightens, and the tan spires of the Badlands rise from the earth like so many praying hands.
—
Ashlea Halpern,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 July 2026
This is the portrait of then-General George Washington at Valley Forge, praying for guidance when the fight for America's independence seemed lost.
—
Lauren Green,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Deacon Michael Pindelski led the church in prayer prior to allowing people to approach the relic with reverence and spend time praying and reflecting.
—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
During Glick’s tour, NBC News witnessed a Jewish group openly defying the rules by praying and prostrating on the edge of the compound under the protection of police.
—
Gabe Joselow,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Nilka Simosa Verde, a Venezuelan-American living in Miami Beach, has been hoping and praying to hear from her family since two earthquakes jolted Venezuela’s Caribbean coast Wednesday evening.
—
Sonia Osorio,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
There is a troubled soul waiting for you inside, however, and that is Wattie, who sings as if caught praying.
—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
By that point, Pledger's son was making remarkable progress, and the day after the shower, he was scheduled to come off his CPAP machine, a milestone the family had been hoping and praying for.
—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
My boys instantly started praying.
—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Ashlea Halpern,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 July 2026
This is the portrait of then-General George Washington at Valley Forge, praying for guidance when the fight for America's independence seemed lost.
—
Lauren Green,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Deacon Michael Pindelski led the church in prayer prior to allowing people to approach the relic with reverence and spend time praying and reflecting.
—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
During Glick’s tour, NBC News witnessed a Jewish group openly defying the rules by praying and prostrating on the edge of the compound under the protection of police.
—
Gabe Joselow,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Nilka Simosa Verde, a Venezuelan-American living in Miami Beach, has been hoping and praying to hear from her family since two earthquakes jolted Venezuela’s Caribbean coast Wednesday evening.
—
Sonia Osorio,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
There is a troubled soul waiting for you inside, however, and that is Wattie, who sings as if caught praying.
—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
By that point, Pledger's son was making remarkable progress, and the day after the shower, he was scheduled to come off his CPAP machine, a milestone the family had been hoping and praying for.
—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
My boys instantly started praying.
—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for praying
Verb
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Its dressing—creamy from mayonnaise, subtly sweet from a touch of sugar—is begging for the pickle's salty acidity.
-
The 2026 Toyota Crown is a tame but stylish family car, neither begging you to go off-road or to step on it around country mountains, but instead being an all-around great hauler with the quality Toyota’s known for.
Verb
-
However, there's already a group petitioning against the idea of the mall becoming an industrial park.
-
Stated differently, Sorsby petitioning the NFL doesn’t mean the NFL will grant the petition.
Cite this Entry
“Praying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/praying. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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