PIETY Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

piety

noun

ˈpī-ə-tē

Definition of piety

as in religion

belief and trust in and loyalty to God her piety is quiet but profound

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as in holiness

the quality or state of being spiritually pure or virtuous among fellow clerics he is respected and admired for his piety

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in devotion

adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty familial piety keeps me from refusing to help my brother in this financial crisis

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 While this is considered a trait of piety and beauty in art, it may have been caused by Simonetta’s pituitary tumor. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 June 2026 Eventually, Inaba looks after Mii with all the loyalty, piety, and sometimes uncomfortable intimacy of a person caring for their aging parent. — Literary Hub, 15 June 2026 Honoring Catalonia’s Christian traditions Earlier Wednesday, Leo celebrated the centuries-old Catalan tradition of popular piety by praying at Montserrat, a mountain complex outside the city that is dear to many Catalans. — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 Leo celebrated their centuries-old tradition of popular piety by praying at Montserrat, a mountain complex outside the city that is dear to many Catalans. — ABC News, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for piety

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piety

Noun

Shaun Casey, a religion scholar, led the State Department’s Office of Religion and Global Affairs during the Obama administration.

— Tiffany Stanley, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
The images on Lotería cards have typically featured commonplace objects and characters and have drawn on artistic influences including tarot cards, local cultures, and religion.

— Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of religion

Noun

But your compassion, your kind heart, and your holiness are what really elevate you in my eyes.

— Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
Soul is a synonym for God, or Spirit, and expresses the vast and eternal beauty of holiness, reflected in man and the universe.

— Dilshad Khambatta Eames, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of holiness

Noun

As Nicole refuses the role she’s been taught to play, her mother is forced to confront the cost of building a life around a man who demands devotion but can’t offer safety.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
This is the main thrust of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother — when the rightful aim of that threefold devotion is gone, what fills the void?

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of devotion

Noun

That unease is eroding faith in political leaders and fueling calls for upheaval across the spectrum, from young conservatives to students backing progressive challengers in Michigan.

— Jacqueline Ganun, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Returning to those stocks is a real leap of faith, but Best Buy has been moving up nicely.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of faith

Noun

There could be work drama or commotion among your colleagues that shakes up existing allegiances, which will compel you to reevaluate who’s really on your team.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
In that same scene, Adam also jokingly calls Olive a rebel, which could be a nod to Rey’s allegiance to the Resistance.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of allegiance

Noun

The two families’ lives intersected once again in their dedication to fight for independence for the Baltic states in the early 1960s.

— Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Cosumnes Community Services District Board President Peter Sakaris said the dedication to growing the pumpkins is inspiring, but the community’s support is equally remarkable.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of dedication

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pietists

piety

piffle

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“Piety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piety. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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