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 As if value just floats in thin air and evil aldermen are firing bazookas in its saintly direction. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026 That’s not to say Rastignac is portrayed as a saintly figure. — Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • This is one of the analyst community's sainted names in the consumer-staples category.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The sainted Tom Brady had a busload of go-to receivers over the years.
    — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Definition of sainted
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
  • Brought from the page to the gallery wall, Loran’s diagram looks a bit like anti-art rather than reverent analysis of a masterpiece.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But an extensive fiiing made by the trust to a Tennessee court late Tuesday afternoon paint a different portrait of Seaver than the reverent one seen in the death announcement video.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Sep. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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