ray 1 of 2

noun

Definition of raynext
1
as in beam
a narrow sharply defined line of light radiating from an object two red eyes reflected in the ray of light from the flashlight

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2
as in glimmer
a very small amount the tapping sound ceased, extinguishing the last ray of hope that the trapped miners were still alive

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ray

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to shine
to emit rays of light klieg lights were raying against the nighttime sky at the Hollywood premiere

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to radiate
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point laugh wrinkles rayed out from the corners of the old man's eyes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ray
Noun
Finally, the wind seemed to permanently lie down, though storm clouds still haunted the horizon, forcing the sunset to squeeze beneath them, its rays condensed into a lurid, painterly slash. — Heidi Julavits, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 The dress was designed with a plunging neckline and a formfitting silhouette with a strips of fabric that evoked sunlight and rays. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
Scientists have long grouped sharks together as a natural evolutionary unit, meaning every shark species shares a common ancestor that rays and skates do not. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 The PlayStation 5 Pro is a more powerful spin on the vanilla PS5, thanks to ray tracing and AI upscaling that give games a visual boost. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ray
  1. beam
  2. glimmer
  3. shine
  4. radiate
  5. splash
  6. glow
  7. speck
  8. hint
Noun
  • By changing its flight attitude, the platform could redirect the radar beam toward different sectors without depending entirely on a mechanically rotating antenna.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In work that would delight any Star Wars fan, scientists have now created an antenna from a plasma beam.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of beam
Noun
  • But that’s a glimmer of progress in an overall bleak data set.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Curt Cignetti has not just provided a championship mindset for the passionate fans that were sitting through days of blowouts and small glimmers of hope in past years.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Verb
  • Puka Nacua shined despite entering the game questionable with a calf injury and Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for nearly 200 rushing yards.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Famous fictional bad girls continue to shine on film and inspire designer runway moments.
    — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of shine
Verb
  • The antenna’s radiating surface would face downward, with a protective cover following the wing’s external contours.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • And then there’s an energetic quality, at times radiating light and other times shining it—with or without pulsing strobes—on others.
    — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of radiate
Noun
  • The finish has a bright splash of acidity and an enduring feeling of warm spice.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This offbeat tendency doesn’t preclude a desire to make a big splash, of course.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of splash
Verb
  • At night, the Sycamore trees glow with lantern light, inviting guests to indulge in late night cocktails and conversation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • With glowing bats, spiders and eyes, the lights accent the historic home with just the right touch.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of glow
Noun
  • Chips could be destroyed by even a speck of dust, so factories became impregnable clean rooms, their workers clad in bunny suits.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The source was generally in good condition, but mold spots and dense clusters of small white specks required careful treatment.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • The two remain royals, but growing speculation hints that once Prince William ascends the throne, that might change.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Yet other separatist movements in Canada appear to have taken the hint.
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of hint

Phrases Containing ray

Browse Nearby Words

rawness
ray
rayed
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Cite this Entry

“Ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ray. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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