PIOUSNESS Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

piousness

noun

Definition of piousness

as in deception

the pretending of having virtues, principles, or beliefs that one in fact does not have an outward piousness that was just a ploy to get him the support of religious-minded voters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in holiness

the quality or state of being spiritually pure or virtuous the piousness with which he lived every aspect of his life was an inspiration to the other monks at the abbey

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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 piousness At the height of her piousness, Adele is confronted with a substitute English teacher, Bromley Stokes, a hippie from San Francisco, who, to her dismay, changes all the rules of school. — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 Christianity is one of the state’s primary means of control, but for the girls who grew up at the Aunt Lydia School, piousness is real. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piousness

Noun

Her backstory is littered with half-truths and deceptions, including a lie that her mentally disabled younger sister was murdered after being kidnapped.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
In modern times, as threats have evolved, deception with moving the president has been an integral part of the Secret Service protective methodologies.

— Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of deception

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

Other controversies have underscored the dubiousness of Anthropic’s commitment to its mission and the hypocrisy of its goodie-two-shoes act.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 5 Aug. 2026
Mathematician Benjamin Banneker wrote to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, condemning his hypocrisy for owning slaves.

— USA Today, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of hypocrisy

Noun

When Gianni Infantino was chosen to replace Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA, he was seen as a reformer, someone who would bring transparency and openness to soccer’s international governing body, which had long been mired in scandal and deceit.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
In my view, to tell the story of America’s founding without referencing these profound scars is akin to deceit, if not complicity.

— Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

Definition of deceit

Noun

Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.

— Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025

Definition of deceptiveness

Noun

Robinhood's banking product arrived with private-bank affectations, estate planning, event access, cash to the door, priced at $5 a month inside a bundle a 30-year-old already pays for.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Bret, who narrates the series with snooty affectation, is primarily parentless, with mom and dad gallivanting around Europe.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of affectation

Noun

It was made that much worse when several cast members laughed at her insincerity and Maddi Reese interrupted it several times because there was a stray cat nearby that terrified her.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Allen’s combo of flip insincerity and kindly concern is a terrific treat, recalling Bill Murray at his doofy best.

— Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025

Definition of insincerity

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pious

piousness

pip

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“Piousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piousness. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of piousness

noun

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