PIOUS Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

pious

adjective

ˈpī-əs

Definition of pious

as in steadfast

firm in one's allegiance to someone or something a pious supporter of his school's athletic teams, during winning and losing seasons alike

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in devout

showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue a pious woman who decided to become a nun

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 pious The Colombian grandmother of my childhood summers was funny, mean, pious, and hard—despite being tremendously sensitive in her own way. — Adriana E. Ramírez, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026 As Mildred Layton, the pious pastor’s wife first played on screen by Kristin Chenoweth, Ana Gasteyer is in her element. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 While Cal's postgraduation life in Edinburgh sounds bleak, returning to his sternly pious father after a taste of modernity and freedom is less enticing still. — Paula Cooper, CBS News, 5 May 2026 In Wake-Keeper (2026), a roughly four-by-five-foot canvas, a pious man draped in the red cloth of traditional Ghanaian funeral attire sits on a stool with his hands clasped, his body facing the left side of the frame. — Lovia Gyarkye, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pious

Adjective

To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.

— Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Each project generated steadfast opposition from the city's neighborhoods, calling into question how the city should regulate the advanced technology centers.

— Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026

Definition of steadfast

Adjective

For a devout convert to Catholicism, Vance has a bumpy history with the Vatican.

— Paul Elie, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
Fearing a loss of their significant clout and influence, devout Protestants revived the earlier campaign to write their faith commitments into the Constitution.

— David Mislin, The Conversation, 26 June 2026

Definition of devout

Adjective

But the star has cultivated a loyal collective of her favorite brands, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney and Area (recall her famous Super Bowl jeans).

— Morgan Evans, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Acquirers should look for these kinds of recurring and diversified revenues, as well as assess whether the brand has a loyal community.

— Simon Corbett, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of loyal

Adjective

Having witnessed centuries of religious warfare in Europe, when millions were killed for their beliefs, the framers took pains to make sure nothing like that would happen here.

— Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Supporters argue that the gatherings represent a form of devotion untethered from rigid rituals and the gatekeeping normally associated with temples or religious processions.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

Lithuania, which borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies during Russian President Vladimir Putin's more than four-year conflict with Kyiv, providing extensive military equipment and financial support.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Margo, a staunch Conservative neighbor of the couple, was disapproving of the pair’s decisions, and Keith’s performance would win her the 1977 BAFTA TV Award for best light entertainment.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026

Definition of staunch

Adjective

The damage was enough to shake the belief of even the most faithful.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Clicking on each one brings up a capsule biography and a semi-faithful version of an authentic portrait; the effect is as if the user were turning off a George Washington face filter.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Definition of faithful

Adjective

There are flag sweaters and skate sneakers and prairie skirts; there are Cheyanne moccasins and Mennonite bonnets and the not-quite-holy Yankees baseball cap.

— Faran Krentcil, InStyle, 1 July 2026
The devil invades a Georgetown home, and holy men have quite the job to do on a demonic little girl.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of holy

Browse Nearby Words

pioneers

pious

piousness

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“Pious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pious. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pious

adjective

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