as in ascetic
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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
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
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
Noah Eckstein, Variety, 29 Dec. 2024
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
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
Adjective
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Despite his limitations, Joe displayed an impressive degree of ascetic discipline and a ravenous desire for God.—
Christian Wiman,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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The fantastical park resembles a theatre set, rife with spiritual allegory and modeled on an ascetic’s dream of utopia.—
Laura May Todd,
Vogue,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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If this group of hardened degenerates was able to enjoy the action at this level, who, exactly, are the spiritual victims of sports betting?—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
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This could look like spontaneous travel plans, shifting your career focus or even a spiritual awakening.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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West was at the height of his cultural influence and had handpicked Chance, a fellow Chicago native, as his protégé—the successor to the soul-drenched, worshipful hip-hop that West had popularized in the mid-two-thousands.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
20 Aug. 2025
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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,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Sagrada Família was founded as an expiatory church, meaning that it would be financed by prayerful donations from people atoning for their sins.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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Pärt’s formulas, born out of long, prayerful periods with sacred texts, offer beauty in the warmth and friction of relationships: melody and tintinnabuli, word and the limits of language, sounds and silence.—
Jeffers Engelhardt,
The Conversation,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There are also occasional flashes of Sharon Van Etten’s early 2010s albums, and producer Adam Schatz (of Landlady, who has also worked with Japanese Breakfast and Neko Case) has created a perfect setting for the songs that evokes the ’70s influences without being overly reverential.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
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Maggie shows reverential awe for Alma, who carries the same regard for her student whilst having a nepotistic bond with Hank.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Inside, the mood was hushed, reverent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Dec. 2025
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It’s been heartening to see these many reverent tributes to not only Reiner’s good deeds in the arena of social justice, but also to his film work, which has maybe not always been properly appreciated for its breadth and vitality.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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This has given the conflict a religious coloration, and political elites have also chosen to politicize the conflict to negotiate power and other interests, which has complicated the problem.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Seyfried spoke to the real-life Ann Lee's experience losing all of her children at a young age, which influenced her religious views.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pietistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pietistic. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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