to pray

Examples

• All

• And so I actually pray and hope that he doesn't invade.

• I think people need to pray more, but they don't know how.

• And I just kept saying it, pray my way through.

• And then we're going to go back in and pray that this works.

• And, you know, I hope and pray that they get out.

• And pray, do I know this man?

  Werewolf Cabal (2022)

• What do you pray for?

  Spartacus (1960)

• For all our sakes, and mostly yours, I pray that you consider your course carefully.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Sweetheart, I only hope and pray the upshot is I don't have to keep you waiting.

  Fiction book (1992)

• I will pray for your success in the upcoming exam.

Synonyms

A

to ask

vsto pray

∞ 1.0

To request that someone do something or meet a requirement

differs by being more humble and emotionally earnest

A

to ask for

vsto pray

∞ 1.0

To tell someone you want or need something

adds a stronger humble and earnest tone to the same act

R

to request

vsto pray

∞ 1.0

To ask for something politely or formally

is more humble and emotional rather than simply polite

S

to seek

vsto pray

981 1.0

Ask someone for information, advice, or help

carries a more humble, pleading attitude rather than neutral seeking

B

to beg

vsto pray

417 1.0

Ask someone very seriously and urgently for something

often stresses humble tone rather than sheer desperation

P

to plead

vsto pray

232 3.9

Ask someone urgently and emotionally for something

is similarly earnest but more focused on humble supplication

A

to appeal

vsto pray

100 2.7

To make a serious request for help or support

is more humble and personal, often not seeking public support

A

to ask for help

vsto pray

98 1.0

To tell someone you need support with a task or problem

is broader, covering humble requests beyond practical help

S

to solicit

vsto pray

• Formal

48 6.8

To ask people for something, often in a formal or persistent way

is equally earnest but less formal and more humble

B

to beseech

vsto pray

• Formal

47 8.2

To ask someone earnestly for something

is similarly earnest but with less emphasis on fervent emotion

I

to implore

vsto pray

• Formal

40 5.3

To ask someone very seriously to do or not do something

has the same earnestness but may be less desperate

S

to seek help

vsto pray

30 2.0

Ask someone for support when you face a problem

is more focused on humble entreaty rather than practical seeking

B

to bid

vsto pray

• Archaic

28 3.5

To tell someone politely or formally to do something

is a humble plea, not a formal instruction or command

E

to entreat

vsto pray

• Formal

12 8.1

Ask someone in a serious, emotional way to do something

focuses more on humble tone than urgent necessity

B

to beg for one's life

vsto pray

• NSFW

5 7.4

Ask someone very strongly not to kill or hurt you

can be earnest but is not limited to life-or-death situations

S

to supplicate

vsto pray

• Formal

3 9.6

To beg someone, often in prayer, for help or favor

is a more general earnest request without stressing formal ritual

B

to beg on one's knees

vsto pray

• Informal

1 7.0

Ask someone for help or forgiveness while kneeling and looking very desperate

expresses humility but not necessarily visible physical posture

I

to intreat

vsto pray

• Archaic

9.9

To ask someone very strongly for something

is the modern equivalent, used without archaic style

Idioms

P

pray tell

• Informal

7 8.8

A polite, often joking way to ask for information after a surprising statement

P

to plug and pray

• Jargon

8.5

To connect a device and hope it works

How Earnest

to implore

• Formal

40 5.3

to beg

417 1.0

to pray

• Archaic

256 1.6

to request

∞ 1.0

to ask

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology