1
as in steadfast
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something
a pious supporter of his school's athletic teams, during winning and losing seasons alike
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devout
showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue
a pious woman who decided to become a nun
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pious
Singh, who would be our local guide, always wore the five traits of a pious Sikh man — uncut hair (symbolizing strength and holiness and topped by the identifying turban), a steel bracelet, wooden comb, sheathed dagger and a baggy undergarment dating back to the Sikhs’ warrior days on horses.
—
Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
In the old days, when Muslims had a great civilization, their smart and pious people also got paid for being smart and pious.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Khamenei was born into poverty and outwardly disdains pomp, cultivating an image of pious frugality.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Cal’s mother, Grace, is estranged from the family, having left her terrifyingly pious and physically abusive husband, as well as her own mother, who appears complicit in her son-in-law’s behavior.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pious
Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
In the old days, when Muslims had a great civilization, their smart and pious people also got paid for being smart and pious.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Khamenei was born into poverty and outwardly disdains pomp, cultivating an image of pious frugality.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Cal’s mother, Grace, is estranged from the family, having left her terrifyingly pious and physically abusive husband, as well as her own mother, who appears complicit in her son-in-law’s behavior.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pious
Adjective
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Spain and Italy have both denied America use of military bases in their territory; Britain, the erstwhile steadfast ally of America, wavered on the issue, too.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
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There’s something agonizingly beautiful in waiting—in longing, in steadfast desire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Cipriani grew up a choir boy in a working-class section of Philadelphia, the fourth of five children in a devout Italian Catholic family.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
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Amar’e Stoudemire, the American-Israeli basketball star who became a devout convert to Judaism after retiring, is reportedly headed to the hall of fame.—
Jacob Gurvis,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The color palette changed so that the attire of the Cogsworth character — the Beast’s loyal majordomo who has been transformed into a clock — is now green rather than brown.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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If New York City no longer loves TR, Medora has remained loyal.—
Beverly Gage,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The measure advances Howard County Executive Calvin Ball's Interfaith Action Plan, which analyzed 12 areas in an effort to ensure that all religious communities receive compassion, justice and care.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Many Brazilian religious groups and social activists regularly have criticized betting companies for their role, as gambling in any other form is not legal in Brazil.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Those comments largely served as a testament to the staunch conservative’s willingness to work across the aisle to secure funding for his district.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte -- a staunch Trump ally -- referred Swalwell to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution over mortgage fraud accusations, but the department never indicted Swalwell.—
Perry Stein The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The gallery hummed with the ideal number and mix of people—reverent Sherald fans, art students in statement glasses, and little kids rushing up to the massive canvases and screaming in delight.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Warner is the most faithful studio for Cannes.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2026
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The Wolverines faithful in the crowd went ballistic, knowing how much that basket meant considering what UConn has been able to do in this tournament.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On Sunday, police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the church, citing security concerns as Israel enforces a ban on gatherings in synagogues, churches and mosques during the ongoing war with Iran, which has brought missile strikes near holy sites.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The day commemorates the return of Jesus to Jerusalem and is the week leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection; the week is the holiest in the Christian calendar.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pious. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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