SAINTLY Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

saintly

adjective

ˈsānt-lē

Definition of saintly

as in pious

showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue a saintly man who devoted his life to caring for the dying

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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 saintly The power struggle swirls around the saintly, ineffectual King Henry until gradually the dynamic York, who has pretended to support Margaret while secretly hatching his own plot, emerges as the chief contender for the throne. — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026 Where ancient midwives had summoned divine assistance by uttering incantations, medieval maternity caregivers called upon saintly mothers by reciting rhythmical charms. — Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026 The truth is that the flamenco-fusion artist undertook years of research and hired the London Symphony Orchestra not to teach—nor even, despite her saintly air, to preach. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025 Plus, their father was the deacon of the local Catholic congregation – all the more reason to maintain a saintly lifestyle. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for saintly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for saintly

Adjective

Philemon and Baucis, a pious Phrygian couple, hospitably received the disguised Zeus and Hermes after their richer neighbors had refused to do so.

— Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026
This was 1872, and the pious (and patronizing) commentators of the time muttered that Damien’s unvarnished personality was due to his simple farm upbringing in rural Belgium.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

Definition of pious

Adjective

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
The film unfolds in a devout fishing community on Malaysia’s East Coast, following two young lovers, Jani and Melur, whose plans for the future are upended by an unplanned pregnancy, poverty and addiction, pushing Jani toward the drug trade.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 July 2026

Definition of devout

Adjective

Enrollment in private schools in Miami-Dade County — religious and non-religious — has increased from about 70,000 to 92,000 the past two decades, according to reporting by the Miami Herald.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
Tuckers Grove, a historically Black religious camp meeting site, is about 600 feet from the northern edge of Irongate, Joshua Grant, Lincoln County planning and inspections manager told The Charlotte Observer.

— Joe Marusak July 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

The sainted Tom Brady had a busload of go-to receivers over the years.

— Steve Buckley, New York Times, 2 June 2026
The movement had adherents among the student body and on the faculty at the Catholic University in Chiclayo, which has about ten thousand students, and the cathedral boasted an enormous portrait of Josemaria Escrivá, Opus Dei’s sainted founder.

— Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

Definition of sainted

Adjective

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained close defense ties for decades, in part because of Islamabad’s longstanding commitment to help defend Islam’s holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, in the kingdom.

— Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
Atsushi Matono is responsible for erecting the shingi, a sacred tree placed at the top of one of the floats —the holiest part of the structure, to which a deity is believed to descend.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026

Definition of holy

Adjective

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
This contemporary-chic new venture counts Chalee Kader (whose Wana Yook restaurant has one Michelin star) among its owners and serves hearty Thai dishes, both reverent and reinterpreted, amid abstract paintings and an electro-rock soundtrack.

— The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026

Definition of reverent

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saintliness

saintly

saints

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“Saintly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saintly. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of saintly

adjective

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