pry Definition
- 1to inquire impertinently or unnecessarily into something
- 2to look closely or curiously at something
- 3to raise, move, or force open with a lever
Using pry: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pry" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She always tries to pry into my personal life.
Example
I couldn't resist prying into the mysterious package.
Example
He used a crowbar to pry open the locked door.
pry Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with pry
Example
I had to use a screwdriver to pry loose the stuck bolt.
Example
It's not polite to pry into other people's financial affairs.
Example
I had to use a chisel to pry out the old nails.
Origins of pry
from Middle English 'pryen', meaning 'to peer inquisitively'
Summary: pry in Brief
The verb 'pry' [prahy] means to inquire impertinently or unnecessarily into something, to look closely or curiously at something, or to raise, move, or force open with a lever. It can be used in phrases like 'pry loose,' 'pry into,' and 'pry out.' Synonyms include 'snoop' and 'meddle,' while antonyms include 'ignore' and 'neglect.'