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Synonym Chooser

How is the word piety distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of piety are allegiance, devotion, fealty, fidelity, and loyalty. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

When would allegiance be a good substitute for piety?

While the synonyms allegiance and piety are close in meaning, allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When is it sensible to use devotion instead of piety?

While in some cases nearly identical to piety, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When might fealty be a better fit than piety?

Although the words fealty and piety have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When can fidelity be used instead of piety?

The meanings of fidelity and piety largely overlap; however, fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

When could loyalty be used to replace piety?

The synonyms loyalty and piety are sometimes interchangeable, but loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

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 piety But a groundswell of protest art was answering the call with a new kind of ardent feeling that damned the false piety and hypocrisy of homophobic Christian doctrine. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 Wallen is constantly trying to find new ways to navigate the tension between pleasure and piety, Saturday night and Sunday morning, his horniness and his self-loathing—already the grist for a thousand doleful ballads. Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 May 2025 The Cold War era, with its hostility to communism, favored both religious piety and commercial development. Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 Critiquing progressive pieties in this fashion may simply sound conservative. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for piety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piety
Noun
  • In a 6-3 decision that divided along ideological lines, the court said a Maryland public school district’s refusal to allow opt-outs burdens parents’ First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • What the state considers politics, society, faith, economics or religion isn’t spelled out in the guidance, which was informed by an Idaho’s attorney general’s office opinion, according to records and emails obtained by Idaho EdNews.
    Emma Epperly, Idaho Statesman, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • The outer appearances distracted me from the inner holiness.
    Rabbi Jack Engel, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025
  • However, Christianity honored the holiness of these transgender saints.
    Sarah Barringer, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Finally playing alongside her in Chicago, what stood out wasn’t just Parker’s talent, but her relentless devotion while juggling motherhood, a broadcasting career and a championship run.
    Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • Paul Libin’s devotion to both the artistry and the humanity of the theater made an indelible mark on Broadway and stages beyond.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • The energy around you may feel optimistic, so now is the time to restore faith in the process of your personal journey.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • Malice departed from the group following a studio session with Rick Rubin and pursued a deeper relationship with his faith.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • In the past couple of years, Corbin got sober, went vegan, and became engaged with politics and spirituality.
    Eamon Whalen, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
  • Was that a common thing for you, to connect Indigenous brothers on the inside with the spirituality, and really push that?
    Nick Estes, New Yorker, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The two men allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and had become radicalized over the internet.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
  • There’s also a triangle with Stella being in the center — Stanley and Blanche pulling at the allegiance of Stella.
    David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Moreover, a unified brand identity not only enables greater recognition but also helps build trust, gain loyalty, and, as a result, increase conversions.
    Roman Vrublivskyi, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • There’s a smarter, more future-facing loyalty model: one that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) signals directly into how customers are scored, segmented, and rewarded.
    Gabriele Buffo, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The Eight of Pentacles asks you to embrace discipline and dedication, and trust that your efforts will pay off in the long run.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • The 30-year-old expression showcases Glen Grant's craftsmanship at its finest, demonstrating the distillery's dedication to quality.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Piety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piety. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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