Definition of pietynext
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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 The anthology’s first volume explores themes of ancestral sin, family, piety and consequence. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025 The soldiers’ pastimes of drinking, gambling, and brawling also offended many Bostonians, who retained the piety of their Pilgrim ancestors. Time, 9 Oct. 2025 Her lack of piety was a joy to behold. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025 Although the French and Italian religious authorities welcomed their piety, those in Germany tended to suppress them as heretical and revolutionary. Michael Robbins, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for piety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piety
Noun
  • Colonialism affects every aspect of life, from language to religion, from dress to traditions, and those legacies don’t necessarily disappear after an oppressor is ousted.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Since 2010, Texas’ high school social studies standards have mentioned Sikhism alongside Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism as major world religions that students need to understand.
    Silas Allen, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • For millions of people, for more than 2,000 years, the advent has represented an opportunity to reflect, to anticipate—to make holiness out of the spiritual equivalent of standing in line, to sit in stillness during the year’s darkest time and know the light is coming.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 18 Nov. 2025
  • Here, and in the show’s finale, Lipton nails a very Wilderean combination of bluntness, holiness, and dry humor.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • That zeal, her daughter explains, also defined the way Ladd led her life away from the cameras — and fueled her devotion to Beyond the Scars.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Their sense of duty and devotion to the Crown never faltered, although Philip found his role frustrating, especially in the early years.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • For an adult nation that recently could not hold down reliable jobs, the suggestion of putting faith into virtual realities was comparable to caging lightning between your hands.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Sources at the club who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity to protect relationships say there is no diminishing faith in Hurzeler at boardroom level.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • With Neptune entering Aries on January 26th, your sector of travel, higher learning, spirituality, and belief systems is activated for the next thirteen years.
    Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Drawing on the ancient tradition of praying to venerable trees — seen as conduits between heaven and earth — the installation reframes the practice as a symbolic bridge between Eastern spirituality and Western luxury.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Business big and small have closed their doors Friday and even production on Grey’s Anatomy has closed down in allegiance.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
  • After a relatively quiet beginning to the year sitting alone in her tower, just honing her powers — and yes, dancing the night away at the Grammys and making her second Super Bowl appearance — Taylor Swift called upon us to pledge allegiance to her hands, her team and her vibes in 2025.
    Denise Warner, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Kim Jee-woon’s A Bittersweet Life (2005) drew on the cool aesthetics of Jean-Pierre Melville’s gangster films while examining specifically Korean concepts of loyalty and social hierarchy.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Just like the zodiac, every Bridgerton character embodies a distinct persona, from bold passion and quiet devotion to intellectual chemistry and soul-level loyalty.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Fortunately, Rushdie’s beloved wife, fellow writer and multidisciplinary artist Rachel Eliza Griffiths, was on hand with a fierce dedication and a new camera.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Harp said Keane’s dedication to her role was unmatched.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Piety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piety. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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