saintly

adjective

ˈsānt-lē How to pronounce saintly (audio)
Definition of saintlynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
  1. pious
  2. devout
  3. religious
  4. sainted
  5. holy
  6. reverent
Adjective
  • Others regard the unum as a pious myth.
    — James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • However, this distinction did more than pit pious Americans against an atheist enemy.
    — David Williamson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Definition of pious
Adjective
  • Before the World Cup, only the most devout geographer or soccer fan would recognize Cape Verde’s name and colors.
    — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
  • For the most devout fans, calories are in and cash is out while traveling North America in lockstep with their side.
    — Noah White, Washington Post, 10 July 2026
Definition of devout
Adjective
  • Patron saints of emergency responders, these religious figures were supposed to be unveiled at the police and fire headquarters.
    — Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2026
  • There are no longer religious figures like Billy Graham who serve as the unofficial spokespeople for American Christianity.
    — Meghan O’Gieblyn, The New York Review of Books, 11 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
  • Alongside Laura Dern as paleobotanist Ellie Sattler and Jeff Goldblum as mathematician Ian Malcolm, Neill completed the holy trinity of protagonists in Steven Spielberg’s enduring blockbuster dinosaur adventure.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
  • The ingredients are listed as organic coconut water, organic jasmine tea, organic raw honey, organic holy basil, organic anise hyssop, organic green cardamom, organic white grape juice and organic coconut milk.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
Definition of holy
Adjective
  • Not a hushed and reverent scene at all, lively and fun.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
  • This is a lovely, if rather decorous and reverent, tale of an illicit affair that’s unlikely to cause as much noise as Dhont’s last two films.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
Definition of reverent

Browse Nearby Words

saintliness
saintly
saints
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Cite this Entry

“Saintly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saintly. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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