as in pious
showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue
a saintly man who devoted his life to caring for the dying
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Recent Examples of saintly
Luckily for them, Jonathan decided to take the longest water break in the history of The Amazing Race, much to the detriment of his very patient and saintly wife.
—
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 2 Apr. 2025
The contrast between the saintly behavior expected of these evangelists and their less-than-righteous day-to-day lives is a reliable, ever-replenishing fountain of comedy, as everlasting as the Lord’s love.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
In his final collection in 2010, Alexander McQueen also titled a gown after the Botticelli painting — although the grey silk organza dress was digitally printed with two saintly figures, not Botticelli’s woman.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
The relics of the monastery’s saintly founder were on view for public veneration.
—Therese Cory, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saintly
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 2 Apr. 2025
The contrast between the saintly behavior expected of these evangelists and their less-than-righteous day-to-day lives is a reliable, ever-replenishing fountain of comedy, as everlasting as the Lord’s love.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
In his final collection in 2010, Alexander McQueen also titled a gown after the Botticelli painting — although the grey silk organza dress was digitally printed with two saintly figures, not Botticelli’s woman.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
The relics of the monastery’s saintly founder were on view for public veneration.
—Therese Cory, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saintly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saintly
Adjective
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Supported, at least initially, by his pious wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani), and his two teenage daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki), Iman and his clan seem set for a comfy bourgeois life.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
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She was considered pious and held in high regard in the community, which made the accusations against her surprising.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The actor, 76, has been a devout Buddhist for over 40 years.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Many Latin acts, particularly from Puerto Rico, are devout Christians but don’t share their beliefs in their music.—
Leila Cobo,
Billboard,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Earlier this year, Wenski spoke with the Miami Herald during his annual Sunday motorcycle ride, an event that brings together hundreds of religious motorcycle lovers, while raising funds to benefit St Luke’s Center, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
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Many districts allow for short-term exceptions—such as for bereavement, family emergencies, or religious observances—but rarely for travel motivated by convenience or cost.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In one indelible scene, her lactating breasts get so backed up that her husband is forced to milk her—the kind of gross-out body humor that is usually applied to dicks and butts, not the sainted maternal form.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
10 Oct. 2025
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The jobs that Biden wanted and did create are the same ones that Trump hates: wind, solar, electric vehicles, the usual gang of sainted Democratic projects.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Tender, fresh okra and holy trinity pepper, onions, and celery add a lovely contrast of texture while contributing pops of color.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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In one thirteenth-century version of the story, a holy man sees the demon in church, dragging a huge sack.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Though her early figurative sculptures like The Great Blessing of Abraham and Angel of Joshua are overt in their religious references, her abstract Burntworks feel no less reverent.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
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There is a fine line between reverent homage and cheap pastiche; Shelby Oaks largely exists on the latter side.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Saintly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saintly. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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