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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
This Quince 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Long-sleeve Shirt is lightweight yet crisp, ideal for a cool spring day or the hot summer sun’s rays.
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
Viewing the comet itself poses no danger, but potential danger lies in staring at the sun, whose infrared rays can burn the retina of the eye and cause irreparable damage, all without causing any pain.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Maxey, who leads the NBA with 1,767 total points, underwent X-rays and an MRI that showed there were no broken bones in his hand.
—CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
Another technique used at Barone Pizzini is spraying kaolin, a white dust, on the leaves to improve photosynthesis and reflect solar rays.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
Adigun is dedicated to raising public awareness about skin cancer and the harmful effects of UV rays, focusing on both medical and cosmetic implications.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Seen at Loewe, Tory Burch, and Saint Laurent, shield sunglasses are meant to arm you from the (still elusive) sun’s rays with an impossible aura of cool.
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
In the distance, rays of light danced off Pure Amazon.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
This Quince 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Long-sleeve Shirt is lightweight yet crisp, ideal for a cool spring day or the hot summer sun’s rays.
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
Viewing the comet itself poses no danger, but potential danger lies in staring at the sun, whose infrared rays can burn the retina of the eye and cause irreparable damage, all without causing any pain.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Maxey, who leads the NBA with 1,767 total points, underwent X-rays and an MRI that showed there were no broken bones in his hand.
—CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
Another technique used at Barone Pizzini is spraying kaolin, a white dust, on the leaves to improve photosynthesis and reflect solar rays.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
Adigun is dedicated to raising public awareness about skin cancer and the harmful effects of UV rays, focusing on both medical and cosmetic implications.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Seen at Loewe, Tory Burch, and Saint Laurent, shield sunglasses are meant to arm you from the (still elusive) sun’s rays with an impossible aura of cool.
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rays
Noun
-
These tiny emitters resemble miniature ski jumps that launch beams of light into free space.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Vaulted ceilings and exposed timber beams define the open-concept living spaces.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The audience gets glimmers of Katie and Greg’s relationship, but the show is bogged down by dull characters like the policeman who seems to have it out for Greg, and even by its focus on Archie’s point of view, which is just a depiction of narcissism and a formulaic pseudo-midlife crisis.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The sun and light glimmers and shines off this material and the entire interior looks, and feels, slick like a black lacquer has been applied throughout.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Forchhammer tells the story of the collective where the individual never shines.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Nettspend’s music shines in its experimental corners, where the chaos briefly resolves into something more intentional.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His playing radiates warmth and emotion, capable of moving listeners to tears or filling a room with heartfelt passion.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Among the most notable is Teatro del Bíobío, a performing arts venue in the city of Concepción that, by night, radiates warm light through a semi-translucent facade like a paper lantern.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Carolina Panthers made a few huge splashes on Monday — one within the hour of the legal tampering window opening up, in fact.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Visitors can expect yellows and splashes of orange, with more flowers sprouting every day.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Soft light glows over a dining room that seats roughly 40.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Green fluorescent protein, first isolated from a jellyfish, glows bright green when under a blue light.—
Marc Zimmer,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 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
-
The specks of light are small bombs, each carrying up to 11 pounds of explosives, which are released at high altitude from the head of the missile before raining down indiscriminately over a wide area.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
-
These generally appear as white bumps or specks that encrust the stems, branches, and undersides of leaves and suck the sap.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rays. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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