GODLY Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

godly

adjective

ˈgäd-lē

Definition of godly

as in pious

showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue a godly and humble man who will be richly rewarded in the next world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in divine

of, relating to, or being God a godly voice from the heavens commanded him to build an ark

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 godly But this new condominium features more than a godly cityscape. — Michael Gross, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026 Baruch Spinoza argued for a singular godly substance of which everything in existence is an attribute. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026 Trump’s version of Christianity instead preaches no mercy for those against him, demands followers exalt him above everything, celebrates the gaudy instead of the godly. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 His involvement with Habitat for Humanity, and his work around the world to eradicate disease, mediate conflict and monitor elections all give testament to a godly life lived well. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for godly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for godly

Adjective

Others regard the unum as a pious myth.

— James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
However, this distinction did more than pit pious Americans against an atheist enemy.

— David Williamson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026

Definition of pious

Adjective

Please do not leave without sampling the divine dessert of Caribbean coffee-chocolate delice with a hint of tonka beans and cacao nibs.

— James Rampton, TheWeek, 9 July 2026
Following the death of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1933, the search for his heir was a matter of divine detective work.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

Definition of divine

Adjective

Patron saints of emergency responders, these religious figures were supposed to be unveiled at the police and fire headquarters.

— Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2026
There are no longer religious figures like Billy Graham who serve as the unofficial spokespeople for American Christianity.

— Meghan O’Gieblyn, The New York Review of Books, 11 July 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

Candace Cameron Bure Candace Cameron Bure, who is a devout Christian, often combines expressions of faith with messages celebrating America.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
But after more than eight years of devout civil service, Jonas lost that fulfilling federal job.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Definition of devout

Adjective

By the end of the movie, even something as natural as daylight has become suffused with a heavenly glow, and the beads of sweat on a dying body sparkle with a beauty that Emily had never been able to find anywhere else in her tragedy of a life.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 June 2026
Don't forget your in-flight comfort — this heavenly memory foam travel pillow is discounted to just $10.

— Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

Definition of heavenly

Adjective

Brands can do this by creating flexible labor models, designing spaces where workers can flourish and developing cultural and spiritual capital through local partnerships.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 July 2026
The payments — 17 transfers of $20,000 each — were made to the son of José Almaraz, a former player described as a spiritual guide close to AFA leadership.

— Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Definition of spiritual

Browse Nearby Words

godliness

godly

go down

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Godly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/godly. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of godly

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on godly

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

yaw

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes