1
2
as in glimmer
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 to shine
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 to radiate
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 ray
Cori Sears, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
The lightweight, non-sticky formula leaves behind a subtle gloss while protecting lips from both UVA and UVB rays.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ray
Noun
Ensure your satin pothos is positioned in a location that receives lots of indirect light but is protected from the sun’s direct rays, particularly in the afternoon when the sun is the most intense.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
The lightweight, non-sticky formula leaves behind a subtle gloss while protecting lips from both UVA and UVB rays.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
That’s why countries around the world agreed in December 2025 to add more than 70 shark and ray species to an international wildlife trade treaty’s list for full or partial protection.
—Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ray
Noun
-
Repairs to the balcony included removing and replacing rotten support beams, according to an invoice from Ameridian.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Never use your high-beam lights.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some believe the ouster of strongman leader Nicolás Maduro offers a glimmer of hope for rebuilding institutions and guaranteeing citizens’ rights.—
CNN 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
For Palestinians on the ground, the crossing reopening would be a small glimmer of light.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The stellar remnant will contract to form a white dwarf, and while the planetary nebula will fade after perhaps 20,000 years, the white dwarf will continue to shine for many trillions of years before fading out.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Her makeup was, for the most part, shielded by her sunglasses, leaving only her brown and nude lip to shine.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Scarlet’s final encounter with Claudius radiates with the complicated poignancy expected of real, difficult catharsis.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Infrared heating works by transferring the heat directly to the food which warms up and re-radiates the heat evenly throughout.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Countries making their Winter Olympic debuts, such as Guinea-Bissau, Benin, and the UAE, may make a media splash.—
Samuel Sanders,
Time,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Other teams made bigger splashes.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That leads to high temperatures, which create a glowing protostar due to the rapid (kinetic) motion of the internal gas particles, and eventually, after a few tens of millions of years, the core temperatures rise high enough (above 4 million K or so) that nuclear fusion of hydrogen begins.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Now imagine the same with some of those teary eyes angled down toward glowing screens, while others frame the bride with their phones.—
Nikita Khanna,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Here indeed was a dense speck of wilderness under preserve.—
John Bowe,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
-
According to the National Weather Service, when a water droplet in a freezing atmosphere comes into contact with a nucleus, like a speck of dust or pollen, an ice crystal is formed.—
Ray Petelin,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There are some hints that weighted blankets can help with anxiety, chronic pain and sleep.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
At song’s end, the camera moved over to big-screen photos of the late Charlie Kirk and his widow, Erika Kirk, who is now in charge of TPUSA, followed by a fade to darkness and closing credit that still did not offer many hints where the performance was taking place.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ray. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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