rays 1 of 2

noun

plural of ray
1
as in beams
a narrow sharply defined line of light radiating from an object two red eyes reflected in the ray of light from the flashlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

rays

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ray
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

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 rays
Noun
But the blustery autumn wind is no substitute for the cozy rays of a summer sun. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 Opt For Sunglasses Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion statement—they’re critical to keeping your eyes safe from UV rays. — Health Editorial Team, Health, 29 July 2026 Athletics All-Star first baseman Nick Kurtz will get an MRI on his left forearm Thursday morning after being hit by a pitch Wednesday night, as initial X-rays of his arm Wednesday were inconclusive, A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026 Brand noted that fish with longer, flowing fin rays have some of the best tails for frying. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 29 July 2026 Protect your eyes from the sun’s rays with the Travis Matthew X DIFF Valencia Sunglasses. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The accelerator relies on line-replaceable units (LRUs) to generate short, high-energy pulses that power the electron beam used to create X-rays. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026 In the human body, thick bones absorb the most X-rays, and appear white on the resultant image. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2026 Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, work in harmony to hydrate and boost moisture retention, and the antioxidant-rich vitamin E helps neutralize free radicals caused by UV rays. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 July 2026
Verb
Scientists have long grouped sharks together as a natural evolutionary unit, meaning every shark species shares a common ancestor that rays and skates do not. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rays
  1. beams
  2. glimmers
  3. shines
  4. radiates
  5. splashes
  6. glows
  7. branches
  8. specks
Noun
  • In Galecki’s home, wood beams and columns recall its log cabin roots.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • The machine fires X-ray beams at a subject, then uses a specialized camera to record how a bone absorbs the beams based on density.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2026
Definition of beams
Noun
  • But take a closer look and the report actually provides glimmers of hope.
    — TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • There were glimmers of form from Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) and Anthony Elanga (Sweden), both of whom need to hit the ground running in the coming season.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of glimmers
Verb
  • Her sardonic wit, which rivals that of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, Courtney Love and David Byrne, shines throughout the album.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 24 July 2026
  • Manhattanhenge reminds us that extraordinary moments don't happen because the sun suddenly shines brighter.
    — Keith Brooks, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of shines
Verb
  • Besides, Beckham practically radiates the sort of star power that dispenses with the need for endless chatter; like Michael Jordan in his Hanes/Space Jam heyday, his physical presence takes precedent over the usual run of blunt-force loquacity.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 July 2026
  • Those tendrils are formed from plasma, or ionized gas, at temperatures in excess of a million degrees Fahrenheit, compared to the sun's visible surface, the photosphere, which radiates at about 9,932 degrees Fahrenheit (5,500 degrees Celsius).
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of radiates
Noun
  • Thoughtful splashes of color are fine tuned throughout the space, like sunny yellow cabinetry livening up the kitchen and window sills sporting a punchy shade of green.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026
  • Four-poster beds and traditional wicker and mahogany interiors preserve the building’s original beauty, while splashes of color in the artwork and brightly hued soft furnishings add character.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Definition of splashes
Verb
  • Think golden butter blondes, radiant warm ambers, and deep brunettes with seamless dimension that glows.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 July 2026
  • This painstakingly restored 4K version looks and sounds gorgeous; cinematographer Dante Spinotti’s work glows with saturated vibrancy, and Michel Rubini and the Reds’ score vibrates on a spooky synth frequency.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
Definition of glows
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
Definition of branches
Noun
  • Six months later, there was hope of reconciliation as sovereignty talks opened between the governments over the specks in the ocean that had been part of the British Empire for more than a century.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2026
  • Bellinger, once a babyface, now sports some light specks of gray.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of specks

Browse Nearby Words

rayless
rays
raze
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Cite this Entry

“Rays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rays. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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