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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The first follows the Rajput king Ratansen of Chitor (a fortress in what is now Chittorgarh, Rajasthan), who renounces his throne and travels as a yogi (wandering ascetic) to the island kingdom of Simhal to win the legendary Padmavati.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
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Housed in a bulletproof case, the delicate bones reveal the saint’s ascetic life while strict security protects relics from historical theft.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Leo’s visit to Annaba, the modern-day Hippo, was a spiritual homecoming for the American pope on his second full day in Algeria.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
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Leo’s visit to Annaba, the modern-day Hippo, is a spiritual homecoming for the American pope on his second full day in Algeria.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Essentially worshipful in its view of Lee, the movie never acknowledges that one person drawing so much unbridled admiration is more than a little creepy.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
25 Dec. 2025
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But while his adoration does have an erotic edge to it (see: The Shape of Water), on the whole, his affection for the misshapen and the outcast among us is more worshipful than overtly lusty.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 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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Altogether, service is low‑key and functional rather than reverential—more practical help, less concierge fanfare—which actually fits the retreat’s stripped‑down, results-first vibe.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
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And though he’s widely admired, Olise should probably be spoken about in more reverential terms.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Newman often seems to be reciting his lyrics, even incanting them, reverent and repetitive.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
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Nakamura, who works almost exclusively in his native Japan, smooths over those divisions, creating reverent, porous structures that open to the landscape or curl in on themselves in repose.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Though many have since been released, the region remains under tight control, with strict limitations on religious and cultural practices.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Robert Orsi, a professor of religious studies and history at Northwestern University, said he was alarmed by the post's connotations.—
Ava Berger,
NPR,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pietistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pietistic. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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