1
as in loyal
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something
a pious supporter of his school's athletic teams, during winning and losing seasons alike
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2
as in devout
showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue
a pious woman who decided to become a nun
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pious
The baron and his pious daughter seem at peace with their mutual estrangement until Zsa-zsa suddenly decides to break that habit.
—
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 May 2025
But while the main character’s mother in that movie was an antagonistic figure, Fatima’s parents are portrayed as kind, not dogmatic or ostentatiously pious.
—Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
When any Democratic politician, including Gov. JB Pritzker, dares to stand up to extreme Republican rhetoric with any language beyond polite pablum and pious platitudes, pundits tell Democrats to lower the volume, cut the contempt and be nice.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Ahmad’s pious cousin Ibrahim insists that Hassan must be killed.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pious
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 May 2025
But while the main character’s mother in that movie was an antagonistic figure, Fatima’s parents are portrayed as kind, not dogmatic or ostentatiously pious.
—Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
When any Democratic politician, including Gov. JB Pritzker, dares to stand up to extreme Republican rhetoric with any language beyond polite pablum and pious platitudes, pundits tell Democrats to lower the volume, cut the contempt and be nice.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Ahmad’s pious cousin Ibrahim insists that Hassan must be killed.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pious
Adjective
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This is the first time a studio has put tickets for sale this early in advance, but considering Nolan has a loyal army of fans large enough to sack a city, there certainly won’t be any shortage of uptake.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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On the one hand, Sharon Horgan — who plays Eva Garvey in the Apple TV+ dramedy about a group of loyal and protective Irish sisters — was nominated for season 1.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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Nikki Glaser, who has attended 22 Eras Tour concerts and been a devout Swiftie, introduced the singer's award.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
-
The mixture of the spectacular Spidey elements will wow web-slinger fans from young children to seniors and the average MCU watcher to devout comic readers and collectors.—
Scott King,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Its steadfast dedication to its classic roots, combined with a fearless spirit of innovation, results in pieces that never fail to amaze.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
14 July 2025
-
But others in the political realm have been steadfast in their support of Gunn’s framing of the character.—
Olivia-Anne Cleary,
Time,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Yuri is a 16-year-old orphan who lives simply with her religious aunt in a big, old house in Communist Cuba in the years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.—
Anita Snow,
Boston Herald,
25 July 2025
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Denise Irene Roberts, 61, of Santa Clara is accused of burning a Nativity scene and other religious displays outside Christ Church North Bay in Novato on July 12.—
Cameron Macdonald,
Mercury News,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Berrien is positioning himself as a staunch Trump backer in his first ads of the race.—
Scott Bauer,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
The eventual confirmation of his passing, delivered by solemn White House and medical officials, triggered an outpouring of condolences from across the political spectrum, even from those who had been his staunchest opponents.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
His surviving works — just over 30 in all — form a kind of visual music or poetry: reverent, revelatory.—
Jerry Saltz,
Vulture,
2 July 2025
-
Elena holds her headstrong, intellectually gifted friend Lila in reverent admiration, but the girls’ paths diverge when Lila, who cannot afford to continue her education, marries an abusive man, while Elena goes to university and becomes a writer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Man’s best friend has been our faithful companion for thousands of years.—
Rudy Molinek,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
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In Clark Kent’s corner is reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and his faithful companion Krypto the Superdog.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Cash flow is king, and equity is the holy grail at the end of your quest.—
Thomas Burgess,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Three years of consistent use later, this has become my holy grail beauty product.—
People Staff,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pious. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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