GODLY Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

godly

adjective

ˈgäd-lē

Definition of godly

as in pious

showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue a godly and humble man who will be richly rewarded in the next world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in divine

of, relating to, or being God a godly voice from the heavens commanded him to build an ark

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 godly On finding his magical hammer there he is given back his godly powers and returns to his home planet to protect it from an attack by his wayward brother, played by British actor Tom Hiddleston. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026 Dozens of boys say they were abused in a Christian scouting program that vowed to raise godly men. — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 22 May 2026 But this new condominium features more than a godly cityscape. — Michael Gross, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026 Baruch Spinoza argued for a singular godly substance of which everything in existence is an attribute. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for godly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for godly

Adjective

The Chicano values of the younger generation aren’t in alignment with the political orientation of the pious old guard.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
But the overall picture of religious infighting in 1640s Britain is essential to understanding how some people, especially poorer folk and especially women, found themselves on the wrong side of powerful, pious opponents.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of pious

Adjective

My room was divine—a study in white on white on cream on winter white.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Recognizing this divine reality even a little, brings tangible, healing comfort to anyone who opens up their heart to it.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of divine

Adjective

However, its point of greatest eclipse occurs just a few miles from Thebes, the magnificent religious and political capital of ancient Egypt's Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Maryland's Freedom to Read Act states that material cannot be removed from school libraries based on political, religious or personal views.

— Tara Lynch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

The Egyptian presidency said Cairo was prepared to provide Saudi Arabia with necessary support to defend its security, stability, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The holy man was eventually burned at the stake as a heretic.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of holy

Adjective

Indeed, in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, Ali stars as Latif, a devout Muslim and contract killer who travels across Houston in an effort to protect his three children following the death of his wife.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
Skillet now regularly shares stages with a wide range of acts, from the devout to the secular, including Korn, Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, Disturbed, and Papa Roach.

— Steve Appleford, SPIN, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of devout

Adjective

The delectable dip paired with the sugary chips was a heavenly combination, with a surprising burst of chocolate in every scoop.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
The duo think they’re headed to the heavenly afterlife only to arrive at the office of the Devil (voiced by Culkin), who seems overwhelmed by his job.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of heavenly

Adjective

Crowley said Aiwass dictated to him the Book of the Law, which became the scripture for Crowley's new spiritual philosophy of Thelema.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
These spiritual beings are nothing if not preoccupied with the state of material things, such as the temperature of the wine, for example.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of spiritual

Adjective

Gloria Molina Grand Park transforms into an illuminated, sacred civic sanctuary for the 2026 presentation of Downtown Día de los Muertos.

— Staff Photographer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Peter Else, a local environmentalist, has spent years fighting SunZia in court over its intrusion into the scenic San Pedro Valley, a region that is sacred to Indigenous communities such as the Tohono O’odham Nation and San Carlos Apache Tribe.

— Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of sacred

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“Godly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/godly. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of godly

adjective

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