“Praying” or “Preying”—Which to use?

“Praying” or “Preying”

Overview

praying / preying are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term. 👇

Definitions

praying: (verb) address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer.

preying: (verb) profit from in an exploitatory manner.

Pronunciation

praying: p·r·EY·ih·ng

preying: p·r·EY·ih·ng

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Examples in Context

Examples of “praying”

Praying or Du'a in Shia has…
…some belief that they are praying to God or a god…
A praying mantis is the first animal…
…this experience in the song "Praying", which she performed at the…
…coffee and smoking cigarettes, just praying that I'd be able to…
…weathers, communing with nature and praying continuously.
The services often include singing, praying, exhorting, and preaching.
Some religions claim that praying for somebody who is sick…
…and clapping while he was praying.
…taboos and nuances, such as praying.

Examples of “preying”

The preferential preying model is an evolving network…
The generalised preferential preying model is similar to the…
…and debris as well as preying on small animals.
…the jackals that have been preying on his goats.
As with the preferential preying model, the average incoherence parameter…
Eastern red bats are insectivorous, preying heavily on moths, with other…
The Mega-Scorpions began preying on the miners which they…
…Woods Killer, a serial murderer preying upon successful career women.
…infant swaddled, thereon an eagle preying, wings addorsed.

(Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions drawn from WordNet.)

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