rays 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rays

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ray
1
as in shines
to emit rays of light klieg lights were raying against the nighttime sky at the Hollywood premiere

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 rays
Noun
For many years people believed that light was made out of particles flying in straight rays. — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 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 In short, the researchers somehow focused the X-rays into an area roughly 100,000 times smaller than the cross-section of a typical human hair. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Monaghan recently soaked up rays alongside fellow actors Carrie Coon and Leslie Bibb on the latest season of The White Lotus. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026 For one, operating data centers in space would require massive solar arrays to capture the sun’s rays and turn it into energy. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 Astronomers investigating mysterious flashes of X-rays believe that these blasts could stem from collisions between neutron stars, the events that forge elements like gold, silver, and platinum. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026 There’s the brutal heat; the skin destroying UV-rays of that miserable, scorching, eye-blinding sun; the constant allergy/sinusitis issues that NEVER let up; the smothering humidity. — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 Persistently bleak under the rays of the California sun, Artificial (now under the aegis of Anora studio Neon) is the movie of the moment — the origin story of our current AI quagmire at the literal, psychological and pretty much every other level. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rays
  1. beams
  2. glimmers
  3. shines
  4. radiates
  5. splashes
  6. glows
  7. branches
  8. specks
Noun
  • At its heart, the greatest album of all time beams with try-hard enthusiasm for popcraft—but don’t try telling Stel that.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • These cataclysmic explosions spray intense radiation and beams of energy through the universe at close to the speed of light.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of beams
Noun
  • 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
  • Still, Crow—the ever-optimist, as her body of work proves—clings on to the glimmers of hope from leaders of the world who do show us the best parts of humanity.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of glimmers
Verb
  • Amenities and experiences This is where Nômade Temple Madrid truly shines, as the hotel offers endless experiences for every taste.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, Thiel suggests, let’s make hay — meaning, bushels of money — while the sun shines.
    — David Gibson, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of shines
Verb
  • Joy radiates from the image, bringing a sense of reclamation not only to Destin, but also to the sea of people who see themselves in him.
    — Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The Design Courtesy of Panasonic With its sleek design and minimal interface, the Panasonic Japanese microwave radiates quiet luxury.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of radiates
Noun
  • The apron is built to take a beating—oils and rogue splashes barely register, practically rolling right off the surface.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Jazz fusion keyboardist George Duke, however, plays wild splashes of melody on an electric piano in the empty spaces between Waits’s lines.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of splashes
Verb
  • In the spring and summer, ‘Kaleidoscope’ glows yellow-green and bears small white flowers.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2026
  • All of them catch the light, so a cluster on a mantel or a windowsill glows as the afternoon sun moves across them.
    — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of glows
Verb
  • His demise, paired with the disappearance of mobster-type Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale), sets the trio on the first phase of their adventures, which inevitably branches into fresh red herrings in customary Only Murders fashion.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of branches
Noun
  • 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
  • Breakouts can look like milder, painless white bumps or dark specks known as whiteheads and blackheads, or more painful red bumps and deeper cysts — a mark of cystic acne.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of specks

Browse Nearby Words

rayless
rays
raze
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Cite this Entry

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

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