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 Nigel once again steps in as a saintly father figure with access to a to-die-for sample closet. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for saintly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for saintly

Adjective

Preachers and patricians constantly warned that, if allowed to live unchecked in the city, Jews would ‘infect’ the Christian faithful, poisoning the minds of the pious and stealing souls away from salvation.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
Romania is one of the most pious countries in the European Union, with around 85% of the population identifying as religious.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of pious

Adjective

Johnny Cash was a lot of things — devout Christian, country superstar, anti-Vietnam activist, variety show host.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026
The religious approach appealed to devout Catholics such as Velazquez, an immigrant from Mexico who spent three decades without status in the country, cutting hair from her home and cleaning houses when business was slow.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of devout

Adjective

Netanyahu’s government, the most ultranationalist and religious in Israel’s history, has presided over a surge of settlement construction in the West Bank.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Netanyahu’s government is the most ultranationalist and religious in Israel’s history.

— Ibrahim Hazboun, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 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

But the bigger issue is that Tenzing keeps its title character and his closest ally (to say nothing of all the smaller characters around them) at a reverent distance, rendering them in broad strokes rather than fine shading.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Around them, an aristocratic winemaker defines his legacy, a legendary maître d’hôtel seeks his heir, and a reverent wine critic pursues the sublime.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of reverent

Browse Nearby Words

saintliness

saintly

saints

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“Saintly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saintly. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of saintly

adjective

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