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

These are two examples of politicians' truths among a plethora of others that are really lies, distortions, deceptions and desecrations of the citizens' trust in them.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
In the acquisition space, the Nats traded Jake Bennett, who sits 93 and relies on deception and command, to the Red Sox for Luis Perales, who sits 99 with a gnarly splitter.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

Soul is a synonym for God, or Spirit, and expresses the vast and eternal beauty of holiness, reflected in man and the universe.

— Dilshad Khambatta Eames, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of holiness

Noun

The speech is also a kind of litmus test for translators and adaptors, an opportunity for a politically progressive character to let rip not simply against general human hypocrisy but against the particular sins of a moment.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
The title references an Islamic hadith that is meant to shine a light on Ali’s character’s moral hypocrisies and the religious fanatics who surround him in the film.

— John Ross, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of hypocrisy

Noun

According to the Global Psychedelic Survey, religion and spirituality are among the top reasons that people in North America are using the drugs, with that intention showing up at a significantly higher rate than in other areas of the globe.

— Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
For decades, traditional sources of authority have competed with forms of spirituality based on personal experience, self-discovery and well-being.

— Morgan Shipley, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of spirituality

Noun

Each season, The Traitors brings together a group of people for a game of deceit, separating the cast into faithfuls and traitors who must try to figure out who is who.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
Their topics include the limits of authenticity and how to grasp understanding in a world awash in deceit.

— Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 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

With rare exceptions, EV sound is little more than an affectation.

— Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026
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

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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“Piousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piousness. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of piousness

noun

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