pietistic

adjective

Definition of pietisticnext
as in ascetic

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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 pietistic 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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pietistic
  1. ascetic
  2. spiritual
  3. worshipful
  4. prayerful
  5. reverential
  6. reverent
  7. religious
Adjective
  • Once inside, warm, tropical breezes flow into the hotel’s ascetic, nevertheless grand lobby, wafting you towards a magical cloister filled with plants and robust Botero sculptures.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
  • Grothendieck was intense and ascetic from his early days.
    — Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 20 May 2026
Definition of ascetic
Adjective
  • In his work, Hujar returned again and again to the spiritual life of his sitters—an invisible presence in his images.
    — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • The principal of my Christian high school regularly attributed world happenings—terrorist attacks, presidents elected or not elected, the price of gas—to unseen spiritual warfare.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of spiritual
Adjective
  • After a while, though, all the professions of sincerity and thanks, the constant invocations of the one true POTUS, and the worshipful exhibits upstairs give the whole place a cultish, nostalgic gleam.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 June 2026
  • The secret in the biscuits is the pairing of cheddar with bacon, with the overall result being worshipful thanks from those who are lucky enough to partake.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 May 2026
Definition of worshipful
Adjective
  • Tigua dancers of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo performed a prayerful ceremony traditional before a hunt.
    — Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • That’s the prayerful explanation for the nonsense that spouted this week from the leaders of a football conference that hopes to grow up and be the Big Ten someday.
    — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Definition of prayerful
Adjective
  • There was the viral pleasure and even pride in seeing foreigners encounter Buc-ee’s with reverential appreciation or giddily experience industrial quantities of Mountain Dew Baja Blast at Taco Bell.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • Japan’s players, initially reverential to the point of deference in Zico’s presence, came out of their shells.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 29 June 2026
Definition of reverential
Adjective
  • Not a hushed and reverent scene at all, lively and fun.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
  • This is a lovely, if rather decorous and reverent, tale of an illicit affair that’s unlikely to cause as much noise as Dhont’s last two films.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
Definition of reverent
Adjective
  • Shinto was formally separated from the state after World War II, but its traditions still reflect a broader history of religious and cultural influences.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • Otero Alcántara has a long history of incorporating the religious symbols into his artwork.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026
Definition of religious

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Cite this Entry

“Pietistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pietistic. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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