1
as in loyal
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something
a pious supporter of his school's athletic teams, during winning and losing seasons alike
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pious
When any Democratic politician, including Gov. JB Pritzker, dares to stand up to extreme Republican rhetoric with any language beyond polite pablum and pious platitudes, pundits tell Democrats to lower the volume, cut the contempt and be nice.
—
Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Ahmad’s pious cousin Ibrahim insists that Hassan must be killed.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024
Each letter comes across as a set piece, a small achievement of style and tone: Vasari’s flowery, deferential missives to the duke, Maria’s youthful ardor and confusion, the overly pious cattiness of a nun.
—Chelsea Leu, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
For pious viewers who may traditionally shy away from the horror genre, The Bondsman may surprise with some very tender and spiritual moments.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pious
Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Ahmad’s pious cousin Ibrahim insists that Hassan must be killed.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024
Each letter comes across as a set piece, a small achievement of style and tone: Vasari’s flowery, deferential missives to the duke, Maria’s youthful ardor and confusion, the overly pious cattiness of a nun.
—Chelsea Leu, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
For pious viewers who may traditionally shy away from the horror genre, The Bondsman may surprise with some very tender and spiritual moments.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pious
Adjective
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He’s still got the voice, though a bit gravely, and a very loyal fan base.—
jsonline.com,
jsonline.com,
4 July 2025
-
As for the loyal opposition, Democrats are in bad odor with voters and even many of their own partisans after Joe Biden’s handlers gaslighted the public on the frailty and declining faculties of the octogenarian president.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Vance Boelter, the suspect in the attack, has been described as a devout Christian who has attended President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies, according to The Associated Press.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
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Over the weekend, Elon Musk and others tried to paint the shooter as a violent leftist, but friends and former colleagues described Vance Boelter, who is charged in the killing, as a devout Christian and political conservative.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Despite setbacks — including talks of a walkout, which stalled when leadership got wind of the strategic move — the cheerleaders remained steadfast in their pursuit.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
25 June 2025
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Hamas has remained steadfast against Israel’s attacks in Gaza.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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At the end of the day students from a religious order went back to the houses of their communities where professors from the order also lived and dined and prayed with them.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
1 July 2025
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The Senate parliamentarian spiked the part of the proposal that would exempt religious institutions from the tax, which, Fansmith says, was part of an effort to exempt the very conservative Hillsdale College from the endowment tax.—
Emma Whitford,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Their starting pitching has remained staunch, and closer Carlos Estévez through Thursday was tied for the MLB lead in saves with 22.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2025
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Still, even some staunch supporters of Netanyahu and Trump seemed a bit unnerved.—
Natalie Melzer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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West's playing here is precise, reverent, never indulgent.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
19 June 2025
-
Craig is self-reflective while being appropriately reverent to the tropes of the genre.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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The overall decor is faithful to the history of the house, which was built in 1880 by architect Pierre Kemp for textile industrialist Eugène Kerckhoff.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
28 June 2025
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The Hollywood outpost stays faithful to the original New York blueprint, with two sets nightly at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., table service throughout, and a booking philosophy that pairs legends with left-field collaborators.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Regardless of region, a memorable melody remains the holy grail.—
Faye Bradley,
Variety,
4 July 2025
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At a small crossroads in southern France, in the 13th century, Dominic de Guzman, a holy man, recognized the necessity for sanctuary for women who rejected heresy and were in danger, according to the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pious. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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