pried; prying
: to look closely or inquisitively
also
: to make a nosy or presumptuous inquiry
pried; prying
1
: to raise, move, or pull apart with a lever : prize
2
: to extract, detach, or open with difficulty
pried the secret out of my sister
Synonyms
Examples of pry in a Sentence
Verb (1)
don't go prying into other people's business
Verb (2)
it took some effort to pry up the trap door
a vain attempt to pry the cork out of a wine bottle
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2024
The documentary aired on HBO in July and pries into the legendary screen actress’ scandals and her complicated film legacy.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2024
But as the adjustment period goes on, production does rise with higher pries, although the degree of increase varies greatly from product to product.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2024
If the peel-and-stick tiles are made from a stiffer material—like stone or mother of pearl—and don't easily pull off, use a pry bar to lift the corner of a tile.
—Claire Hoppe, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pry 
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.
Noun
The other end is no slacker either, featuring a pry bar that can open stubborn food tins, remove nails, and shatter glass in an emergency.
—New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2024
The documentary aired on HBO in July and pries into the legendary screen actress’ scandals and her complicated film legacy.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2024
But as the adjustment period goes on, production does rise with higher pries, although the degree of increase varies greatly from product to product.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2024
If the peel-and-stick tiles are made from a stiffer material—like stone or mother of pearl—and don't easily pull off, use a pry bar to lift the corner of a tile.
—Claire Hoppe, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pry
Dictionary Entries Near pry
Cite this Entry
“Pry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pry. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pry
2 of 3 verb
pried; prying
1
: to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever
pry off a tight lid
2
: to force out, detach, or open with difficulty
could not pry a secret out of her
pry
3 of 3 noun
: a tool for prying
Etymology
Verb
Middle English prien "to look at closely"
Verb
an altered form of prize "to move with or as if with a lever"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share