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

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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

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 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 Trump has always relied upon interim appointments as much as possible, given their filial piety of the office holder to Trump, as their legitimacy is anchored only by his authority and not Congressional confirmation. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 9 June 2026 Certainly, when Richmond later summed up life’s points and pleasures in a memo to his nephew, there was not a single piety among them. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 The faith of these settlers kindled a fervent Protestant piety, found in the Great Revival of the Ohio Valley frontier. — Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for piety

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piety

Noun

The administration has since created new governmental structures focused on religion, including a White House Faith Office and a Religious Liberty Commission tasked with examining how federal policy can better protect the free exercise of religion.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026
My relationship with religion did not begin with the frescoes in churches.

— Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of religion

Noun

The saints’ books, rich vestments and formal poses were visible signs of holiness, symbolizing their learning, discipline and eloquence.

— Denva Gallant, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Others limit prayer to God alone and emphasize remembering saints primarily as historical models of holiness.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026

Definition of holiness

Noun

But regardless of any lack of confidence in Hamas’ true intentions, in Mladenov’s faith in the ability to verify weapons decommissioning, or indeed Netanyahu’s own willingness to order any troop withdrawals, why poke Trump so publicly in the eye?

— Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Despite the loss, the congregation gathered Sunday morning, like any other week, to practice their faith.

— Heath Kalb, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of faith

Noun

She was briefly considered to be a Taiwan People's Party legislator candidate, but had backed out owing to questions about her loyalty and affiliation with China.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Determined to prove his loyalty, he’s been flying around on Seasmoke raising an army to retake Tumbleton on Rhaenyra’s behalf.

— James Grebey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of loyalty

Noun

Her dedication to strengthening the local ecosystem through training initiatives and international collaborations is equally remarkable.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
Developers also pointed to the dedication of a 60-acre park along the south side of the Boise River, named Margaret Aldape Park, after the matriarch of the Aldape family who had homesteaded the land for more than a century.

— Rose Evans August 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of piety

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