pious

adjective

ˈpī-əs How to pronounce pious (audio)
Definition of piousnext
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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 pious In Wake-Keeper (2026), a roughly four-by-five-foot canvas, a pious man draped in the red cloth of traditional Ghanaian funeral attire sits on a stool with his hands clasped, his body facing the left side of the frame. — Lovia Gyarkye, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026 The aim wasn’t to make the chatbot Bible-thumping or pious. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 26 May 2026 Maria, austere and deeply pious, runs the business with an iron hand, obsessed with making the family’s origins forgotten. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 May 2026 While Cal's postgraduation life in Edinburgh sounds bleak, returning to his sternly pious father after a taste of modernity and freedom is less enticing still. — Paula Cooper, CBS News, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pious
  1. steadfast
  2. devout
  3. loyal
  4. religious
  5. staunch
  6. reverent
  7. faithful
  8. holy
Adjective
  • And many on Wall Street remain steadfast in their belief that this cycle won’t be any different.
    — Ryan Vlastelica, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Herrera proactively trains staff for potential immigration enforcement, creating vital protocols due to a lack of external business guidance, embodying a steadfast commitment to protecting its community.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of steadfast
Adjective
  • Musk has his own army of devout followers, too, but the difference is that Musk is constantly miserable, alienating even some of his own followers with his extreme takes.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 July 2026
  • While Auguste and two of Damien’s older sisters, Eugenie and Pauline, were being prepared for religious service by devout Anne-Catherine, Frans wanted Jozef for the farm.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of devout
Adjective
  • These special dishes also allow the team a closer interaction with their loyal customers.
    — Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Teams sold tickets, concessions, sponsorships and television rights to loyal hometown fans.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of loyal
Adjective
  • Beijing has appointed its own senior monks, maintained close surveillance and controls on religious expression, and faced allegations of cracking down on peaceful dissent and forcing the large-scale relocation of rural and nomadic Tibetans.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Singapore maintains strict rules on the public display of foreign flags and emblems without a permit, framing the laws as necessary to protect the country’s racial and religious harmony.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of religious
Adjective
  • In neighboring Michigan, Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a staunch progressive, has faced questions about his past support for defunding the police.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • Wicks is also generally a staunch vote for environmental protections, with her voting record notching a lifetime score of 95% on the California Environmental Voters ranking system.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of staunch
Adjective
  • The Lost Boys gave us the chance to create something that feels reverent toward the film while still staking its own claim.
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • The wedding processional began with the majestic, resonant tones of the historic church organ, setting a reverent and grand atmosphere.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Definition of reverent
Adjective
  • Apple’s faithful community will have synced up their mobile contracts to make an easy upgrade on a 12- or 24-month basis.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Or maybe Holland sends some love to the Hall H faithful via video message.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 July 2026
Definition of faithful
Adjective
  • The arson attacks highlight a surge in settler violence, mounting criticism of Netanyahu’s government and global calls — including from the Vatican — to protect holy sites and avert wider conflict.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
  • Southern Paiutes will still hold Grand Staircase as the holy land where the Creator placed them.
    — Kerri J. Malloy, The Conversation, 23 July 2026
Definition of holy

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pioneers
pious
piousness
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Cite this Entry

“Pious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pious. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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