Synonyms for pray
Most common
Definitions
- v. 1
To direct words, thoughts, or one's attention to a deity or any higher being, for the sake of adoration, thanks, petition for help, etc.
Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca.
Forms
- Past participle
- prayed
e.g. prayed → implored, begged, supplicated, asked…
Choose the right word
Entreat implies a special earnestness of asking, and beseech, a still added and more humble intensity; beseech was formerly often used as a polite intensive for beg or pray; as, I beseech you to tell me.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- beg I beg your pardon; I didn't quite catch your name.
- implore "I implore you not to do this, Jack," she cried.
- beseech But he said: I beseech thee, Lord, send whom thou wilt send.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| pray | rising | |
| beg | steady | |
| implore | rising | |
| beseech | steady | |
| supplicate | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- ask1, sue1, beg1
- 5 letters
- plead1, crave1
- 6 letters
- please1, invoke2, adjure, obtest
- 7 letters
- request2, solicit3, conjure2, implore2, beseech2, entreat
- 8 letters
- petition3
- 9 letters
- importune, impetrate
- 10 letters
- supplicate
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (invoke2 = 2 syllables).