1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to shine
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 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
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 ray
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 June 2025
Retinol in serum or moisturizer is generally recommended for nighttime use only, as retinol makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight and exposure to the sun’s rays can interfere with this active ingredient.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 9 June 2025
Most importantly, the polyester tent has a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 50+ to keep you and your skin safe from the sun’s powerful rays.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2025
Zinc oxide can effectively block the entire spectrum of UVA and UVB rays, offering broad-spectrum protection needed to help prevent sun damage.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ray
Noun
On a rainy summer’s day in London, Deadline provided a ray of musical sunshine for a packed audience at the historic Shoreditch Church.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 June 2025
Retinol in serum or moisturizer is generally recommended for nighttime use only, as retinol makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight and exposure to the sun’s rays can interfere with this active ingredient.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 9 June 2025
Most importantly, the polyester tent has a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 50+ to keep you and your skin safe from the sun’s powerful rays.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2025
Zinc oxide can effectively block the entire spectrum of UVA and UVB rays, offering broad-spectrum protection needed to help prevent sun damage.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ray
Noun
-
Each lamp head can swivel 350° side-to-side and tilt 90° up or down, with beam angles that go from narrow spotlighting to wide ambient wash.—
Paul Lamkin,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
The adaptive reuse design preserves the 1907 warehouse’s original Douglas fir beams and brickwork while slashing the building’s carbon footprint.—
Leilani Marie Labong,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
Telehealth offers a glimmer of a solution, but as everyone who’s tried to show off a concerning mole to a doctor via a smartphone camera knows: Video technology can only get you so far.—
Christopher Null,
Wired News,
19 June 2025
-
For travelers, Christchurch Airport offers a glimmer of hope.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
May this triangle shine as a witness, not only to the cruelty of the past but to the courage and beauty of those who resisted with their very being.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
-
In a separate case covered by Newsweek, a flight attendant shined a flashlight out of a window to check parts of the aircraft's exterior.—
Matthew Impelli,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Dealing with rage wouldn’t seem the term most applicable to Estévez, who is as amiable and animated as anyone in the Royals’ clubhouse and radiates a room-energizing presence.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2025
-
The panoramic terrace creates visual continuity between interior and exterior, while the club’s signature infinity pool radiates notes of color and joy, like an echo to the location’s musical appeal.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
The Colorado Rapids, who have made their fair share of splash signings over the past two seasons, are ninth lowest in the league in payroll for their first-team players.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
25 June 2025
-
The world’s largest sailing yacht just made a mighty splash in France.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
The first Tron had played out as a series of face-offs featuring glowing figures against a black background, replicating the blank environment of an arcade screen.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
Miguel and Angel were grinning maniacs standing in the middle of the set with their arms around each other’s shoulders, like ballplayers after a winning game surrounded by a circle of glowing fans.—
Helen Schulman,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
While few details were shared at the time, there were hints that the podcast would soon be relaunching.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
26 June 2025
-
The strawberries are then quartered and added to the skillet alongside ruby port (a sweet fortified wine that generally tastes like red berries) and fresh ginger for a hint of sweet spice.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Athletes and coaches are loath to admit even a shred of positive in any defeat, let alone in the immediate aftermath, but if ever the moral victory existed, can’t Inter Miami claim some of that even after a 4-0 defeat?—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2025
-
Still, in a shred of good news, other figures showed that businesses are still investing, despite the persistent uncertainty over Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs and the potential impact of his massive tax and spending bill currently being reviewed by the US Senate.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ray. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share