Praying — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈprā/

Meaning & Definition of Praying

Praying (verb)

  1. entreat, implore —often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea
  2. to get or bring by praying
  3. to make a request in a humble manner

Praying (noun)

  1. mantis; especially, a European mantis (Mantis religiosa) that has been introduced into the U.S. —called also praying mantid

Praying (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner

    "I pray you: tell me where they went"

    similar: appealing (to), begging, beseeching, besieging, conjuring, entreating, impetrating, imploring, importuning, petitioning, pleading (to), soliciting, supplicating, calling on
    related: bludging (chiefly Australian & New Zealand), cadging, mooching, sponging, asking, desiring, invoking, requesting, suing, claiming, coercing, commanding, compelling, demanding, forcing, insisting, requiring
    near: hinting, implying, intimating, suggesting, appeasing, conciliating, gratifying, mollifying, obliging, pacifying, placating, pleasing, satisfying, comforting, consoling, contenting, quieting

Related Entry: Pray (verb)

Pray is a different word from Praying. The synonyms below are for pray, not for praying.

  1. to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner

    "I pray you: tell me where they went"

    similar: appeal (to), beg, beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, importune, petition, plead (to), solicit, supplicate, call on
    related: bludge (chiefly Australian & New Zealand), cadge, mooch, sponge, ask, desire, invoke, request, claim, coerce, command, compel, demand, force, insist, require
    near: hint, imply, intimate, suggest, appease, conciliate, gratify, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, please, satisfy, comfort, console, content, quiet

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Praying

The most common words with a similar meaning to Praying:

appealing (to), begging, beseeching, besieging, conjuring, entreating, impetrating, imploring, importuning, petitioning, pleading (to), soliciting, supplicating, calling on

Related Words for Praying

bludging, cadging, mooching, sponging, asking, desiring, invoking, requesting, suing, claiming, coercing, commanding, compelling, demanding, forcing, insisting, requiring

Near Antonyms of Praying

hinting, implying, intimating, suggesting, appeasing, conciliating, gratifying, mollifying, obliging, pacifying, placating, pleasing, satisfying, comforting, consoling, contenting, quieting

Word Forms of Praying

Inflections: prayed, prays

Origin & Etymology of Praying

Middle English, from Anglo-French prier, praer, preier, from Latin precari, from prec-, prex request, prayer; akin to Old High German frāga question, frāgēn to ask, Sanskrit pṛcchati he asks

First known use: 13th centuryt

Words & Phrases Containing Praying

praying mantis

Frequently Asked Questions about Praying

What does "Praying" mean?

"Praying" means entreat, implore —often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: entreat, implore —often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea.

What is another word for "Praying"?

Other words for "Praying" include appealing (to), begging, beseeching, besieging, conjuring, entreating, impetrating and imploring. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Praying" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Praying"?

There are 31 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Praying". Common alternatives include appealing (to), begging, beseeching, besieging, conjuring, entreating, impetrating, imploring, importuning and petitioning.

How do you use "Praying" in a sentence?

Examples of "Praying" in a sentence: "I pray you: tell me where they went".

Is "Praying" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Praying" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Praying"?

"Praying" is pronounced /ˈprā/.

What is the origin of the word "Praying"?

"Praying" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French prier, praer, preier, from Latin precari, from prec-, prex request, prayer; akin to Old High German frāga question, frāgēn to ask, Sanskrit pṛcchati he asks. First known use: 13th centuryt.

What is another word for "Praying" meaning "to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner"?

When "Praying" (verb) means to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner, synonyms include appealing (to), begging, beseeching, besieging, conjuring and entreating.