Synonyms

pray

American

[prey] / preɪ /

verb (used with object)

to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship).
to offer (a prayer).
to bring, put, etc., by praying.

to pray a soul into heaven.
to make earnest petition to (a person).

Synonyms:

implore, implore, beseech, beseech, beg, supplicate, entreat, importune
to make petition or entreaty for; crave.

She prayed his forgiveness.
to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to God or to an object of worship.
to enter into spiritual communion with God or an object of worship through prayer.

verb (used without object)

to make entreaty or supplication, as to a person or for a thing.

verb phrase

pray tell. pray tell.

pray British

/ preɪ /

verb

to utter prayers (to God or other object of worship)

we prayed to God for the sick child
(when tr, usually takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to make an earnest entreaty (to or for); beg or implore

she prayed to be allowed to go
leave, I pray you
rare (tr) to accomplish or bring by praying

to pray a soul into the kingdom

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

interjection

archaic I beg you; please

pray, leave us alone

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

outpray verb (used with object)
prayingly adverb
unpraying adjective

Etymology

Origin of pray

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English preien, from Old French preier, ultimately derived from Latin precārī “to beg, pray,” derivative of prex (stem prec- ) prayer; akin to Old English fricgan, Dutch vragen, German fragen, Gothic fraihnan “to ask”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

All Norma Tactacon can do is pray as the sirens blare.

From BBC

I heard my voice squeak upward, praying he didn’t notice.

From Literature

Clare flung the broken monocle away and blew on the pulsing ember, praying to the all-knowing Universe it wouldn’t go out.

From Literature

Leaders and troops have prayed "during the most turbulent times in our nation's history, and if you talk to many servicemembers they will tell you they appreciate the prayers," she added.

From Barron's

"We pray to God that peace will be imposed, and that the national committee will come and control Gaza."

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023