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
In the first dark hours of June 14, prosecutors say, the pious Boelter, 57, set out to commit a crime that would break a commandment.
—
Dan Barry, Twin Cities, 21 July 2025
Those healthy enough were put through a daily regimen of religious education and physical schooling intended to train them to be pious and obedient.
—Ann Foster, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025
Moyers’ preacher-like delivery and emphasis on high moral standards in his commentaries led some people to criticize him as being a pious scold.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Chronicles is set in a tiny Argentinian town where a pious yet competitive woman decides that staging a miracle could be her ticket to sainthood.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pious
Dan Barry, Twin Cities, 21 July 2025
Those healthy enough were put through a daily regimen of religious education and physical schooling intended to train them to be pious and obedient.
—Ann Foster, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025
Moyers’ preacher-like delivery and emphasis on high moral standards in his commentaries led some people to criticize him as being a pious scold.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Chronicles is set in a tiny Argentinian town where a pious yet competitive woman decides that staging a miracle could be her ticket to sainthood.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pious
Adjective
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Somehow, the upper hand never lingers long with Sally and Barnaby, drolly played by Gunning and Corden as a conniving Tweedledee and Tweedledum, loyal to no one and convinced their venality is justified by their father’s history of terrible parenting.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
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Unlike the last two prime ministers, Lecornu has been a loyal lieutenant at the center of the president’s project in government, Lazar said.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Wicks’ modest-but-devoted flock includes devout church lady Martha Delacroix (Close), circumspect groundskeeper Samson Holt (Church), tightly-wound lawyer Vera Draven, Esq.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
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His devout love for these sneakers has also turned my grandma into a convert, and now the two happily sport their Kiziks all over Thailand, walking from food stall to food stall.—
Alexandra Domrongchai,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Our administration must remain steadfast in ensuring that those who put in the work receive the benefits of their efforts.—
Ruth Vitale,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
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The engineering professor is steadfast that nearly all jobs will be taken over by AI—even most of the ones that have a special human touch, like teachers and car drivers.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the LeMasters' eyes, Kirk's shooting was a political and religious assassination.—
Matthew Cupelli,
The Enquirer,
12 Sep. 2025
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Participants must go to religious services once per week.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Established in 1945 by advertising pioneer Albert Lasker and his wife, Mary, who was a staunch advocate for medical research, the awards highlight basic biological discoveries and advances that improve human health.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Forget the critics and the staunch music execs, the fans are so ready!—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The submissions tell a story of Massachusetts that is equal parts reverent and irreverent, with Bay Staters leaning on history while having fun with their future.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Stanton’s voice, once critical of Lincoln, became reverent by the time of his assassination.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Watkins counting up his touchdown total in merriment on the sideline and Dart staying in the game until well in the fourth quarter were haunting images for Arkansas faithful and the team.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
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This may not be the most popular prediction among the Blueshirts faithful, but the reality is the Rangers don’t have a ton of great options.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Earlier this year, proof of an ancient garden was found at the holiest site in Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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And where the original Hollow Knight sent you plunging into the black depths of Hallownest, Silksong drives Hornet upward, scaling Pharloom alongside a procession of bug-like pilgrims, all drawn to the looming holy Citadel above.—
Keller Gordon,
NPR,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pious. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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