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Synonyms

prayerful

American  
[prair-fuhl] / ˈprɛər fəl /

adjective

  1. given to, characterized by, or expressive of prayer; devout.

    Synonyms:
    reverent, godly, pious
prayerful British  
/ ˈprɛəfʊl /

adjective

  1. inclined to or characterized by prayer

"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

  • prayerfully adverb
  • prayerfulness noun
  • unprayerful adjective
  • unprayerfully adverb
  • unprayerfulness noun

Etymology

Origin of prayerful

First recorded in 1620–30; prayer 1 + -ful

Vocabulary lists containing prayerful

myPerspectives 9.6

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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.

Scorsese says he attends Mass and is “absolutely” a prayerful person.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

“The hard reality is the fundamentals of the race have changed significantly since we launched this campaign. After prayerful consideration, today I withdrew my name from the primary ballot,” Meijer said in a statement.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 26, 2024

The tables were laid, the candles were lighted, and the last rainy-day light was dying as prayerful voices rose toward the synagogue’s ornate domed ceiling.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2023

“I am being tried for the prayerful thoughts I held in my head.”

From Washington Times • Aug. 15, 2023

Then at last Finny straightened from this prayerful position slowly, as though it was painful for him.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.