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
The hot inner region that would normally produce strong X-rays becomes surrounded by this thick disk. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Separately, the sender and receiver share a pair of entangled light fields that constitute all of the light rays traveling in all directions. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2026 This sheer mineral sunscreen also reflects UVA/UVB rays to protect skin and prevent sunburn, is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and is composed of zinc oxide for the ultimate sun protection. — Alison Abbey Hudak, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 The researchers also used X-rays at SLAC’s Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource to track what was happening inside the electrolyte. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 Bookshelves were filled with actual paperwork and documents used by medical professionals, while even the hairline fractures visible on X-rays were created with the guidance of real-life practicing physicians. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 There are some crazy laser rays, goofy wipe transitions, robots who are menaces to society, to be sure. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026 Gemma, who’s a new character to the series and doesn’t really know about the Further yet, works at a dentist’s office, so writer-director Jacob Chase has fun with dental implements and X-rays, as well as constant tooth imagery. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 Despite the rays shining down over me, the display was still visible enough to cut through the glare and keep text, images, and videos easy to see. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 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
  • That’s harder than trying to spot a firefly right next to someone flashing their high-beams at you.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The antlers grew off to the sides of the deer’s head instead of going upward, which contributed to the wide inside spread and long beams.
    — Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of beams
Noun
  • Peppered amid the challenges for 2025 were glimmers of hope through successes like Weapons ($270 million globally on a $38 million budget), while modestly budgeted reboots Freakier Friday and Final Destination Bloodlines also turned profits.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In a dystopian world of desperation and war, small glimmers of hope keep society from crumbling completely.
    — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of glimmers
Verb
  • In Los Angeles, for example, there’s a billboard that shows an image of a smiling girl wearing Meta glasses, with her fingers placed to draw attention to the recording light that shines as brightly as her grin.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Parton’s legacy shines on in her obvious and not necessarily as obvious successors.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of shines
Verb
  • What gets prototyped there radiates into field trips, after-school programs and summer camps that reach thousands of children a year.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Bieniemy radiates discipline and accountability and, of course, carries an intimate understanding of the offense and has Reid’s trust.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of radiates
Noun
  • Built in a distinctively analog way, the rooms create the illusion of endless space through the use of light, mirrors and splashes of color.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The company has built a reputation in the investment world for backing companies that have made big splashes, including Uber, Waymo and Discord.
    — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of splashes
Verb
  • At night, the feathers light up and the whole bird glows across the playa.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In New York City, Pete Davidson films his new movie Tommy Karate with a new look, while Savannah Guthrie glows in florals for Roger Federer’s exhibition match at the US Open.
    — Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 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
  • Calcium shows up as bright white specks on the coronary artery images.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Pulse a few times, until crumbs range in size from specks to peas.
    — Leah Eskin, Midwest Living, 14 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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