pietistic
adjective
pi·e·tis·tic
ˌpī-ə-ˈti-stik 
1
: of or relating to Pietism
2
a
: of or relating to religious devotion or devout persons
b
: marked by overly sentimental or emotional devotion to religion : religiose
Examples of pietistic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though arguably one of the most pietistic, genuine and well-intentioned presidents of the 20th century, Carter’s presidency was clouded by challenges, many of which were out of his control.
—
Noah Eckstein, Variety, 29 Dec. 2024
Though arguably one of the most pietistic, genuine and well-intentioned presidents of the 20th century, Carter’s presidency was clouded by challenges, many of which were out of his control.
—Noah Eckstein, Variety, 29 Dec. 2024
Warnock’s doctoral thesis, the basis of a book published in 2013, was about the divide in the Black church between a pietistic tradition, which emphasized individual righteousness and uplift, and a social one, epitomized by King.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2022
By the time Warnock was hired to lead Ebenezer, in 2005, strains of the pietistic tradition had consolidated in the new suburban Black megachurches that preached the prosperity gospel, led by figures such as Creflo Dollar and Bishop Eddie Long.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2022
The official version of Irish history was a dour, gray, pietistic nationalism.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2022
Fonny grew up there, too, with his alcoholic father (Michael Beach), unforgivingly pietistic mother (Aunjanue Ellis), and judgmental sisters (Ebony Obsidian and Dominique Thorne).
—Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, 18 Sep. 2018
Fonny grew up there, too, with his alcoholic father (Michael Beach), unforgivingly pietistic mother (Aunjanue Ellis), and judgmental sisters (Ebony Obsidian and Dominique Thorne).
—Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, 18 Sep. 2018
My personal Sharia tells me how to pray, how to fast, how to follow my personal pietistic laws, but then there is Sharia that gets involved in criminal law, that gets involved in prohibiting siege.
—Fox News, 18 June 2018
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.
Noah Eckstein, Variety, 29 Dec. 2024
Though arguably one of the most pietistic, genuine and well-intentioned presidents of the 20th century, Carter’s presidency was clouded by challenges, many of which were out of his control.
—Noah Eckstein, Variety, 29 Dec. 2024
Warnock’s doctoral thesis, the basis of a book published in 2013, was about the divide in the Black church between a pietistic tradition, which emphasized individual righteousness and uplift, and a social one, epitomized by King.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2022
By the time Warnock was hired to lead Ebenezer, in 2005, strains of the pietistic tradition had consolidated in the new suburban Black megachurches that preached the prosperity gospel, led by figures such as Creflo Dollar and Bishop Eddie Long.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2022
The official version of Irish history was a dour, gray, pietistic nationalism.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2022
Fonny grew up there, too, with his alcoholic father (Michael Beach), unforgivingly pietistic mother (Aunjanue Ellis), and judgmental sisters (Ebony Obsidian and Dominique Thorne).
—Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, 18 Sep. 2018
Fonny grew up there, too, with his alcoholic father (Michael Beach), unforgivingly pietistic mother (Aunjanue Ellis), and judgmental sisters (Ebony Obsidian and Dominique Thorne).
—Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, 18 Sep. 2018
My personal Sharia tells me how to pray, how to fast, how to follow my personal pietistic laws, but then there is Sharia that gets involved in criminal law, that gets involved in prohibiting siege.
—Fox News, 18 June 2018
Cite this Entry
“Pietistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pietistic. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share