piety

noun

ˈpī-ə-tē How to pronounce piety (audio)
Definition of pietynext
1
as in religion
belief and trust in and loyalty to God her piety is quiet but profound

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in holiness
the quality or state of being spiritually pure or virtuous among fellow clerics he is respected and admired for his piety

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devotion
adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty familial piety keeps me from refusing to help my brother in this financial crisis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word piety distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of piety are allegiance, devotion, fealty, fidelity, and loyalty. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

When would allegiance be a good substitute for piety?

While the synonyms allegiance and piety are close in meaning, allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When is it sensible to use devotion instead of piety?

While in some cases nearly identical to piety, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When might fealty be a better fit than piety?

Although the words fealty and piety have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When can fidelity be used instead of piety?

The meanings of fidelity and piety largely overlap; however, fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

When could loyalty be used to replace piety?

The synonyms loyalty and piety are sometimes interchangeable, but loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

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 piety Then, Samantha Leach will tell us how the television show Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is leading more than a few members of the Mormon church to choose pomp over piety. — airmail.news, 17 Aug. 2024 Yet beyond piety and service, the Georgia Democrat stood out from his earliest days on the national stage with unusually prolific, nuanced explanations of his beliefs. — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025 The plot is set in motion when Ghada’s noon prayers are interrupted by a phone call, detailing her estranged mother extorting a young relative for cash, a wonderfully symbolic occurrence of the past interfering with her present piety — a running theme. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 30 Dec. 2024 While demure’s definition often involves modesty, piety, or being reserved, Lebron’s version of demure is about being cutesy, respectable, and chill. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for piety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piety
  1. religion
  2. holiness
  3. devotion
  4. faith
  5. spirituality
  6. allegiance
  7. loyalty
  8. dedication
Noun
  • The execution would also infringe on Hoffman's ability to practice his religion of Buddhism, including breathing and meditation exercises, his lawyers argued.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • World premiering on March 23 at CPH:DOX, the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, the film sees Shevchenko traveling to meet women with a range of views and experiences and discuss women’s rights and religion with them.
    — Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of religion
Noun
  • For some, holiness has an otherness quality set apart from all (or most) of humanity.
    — Walt Shelton, Austin American-Statesman, 14 Aug. 2024
  • The Ethiopian crosses symbolize eternal life and connection, and given that a sanctuary is a place for refuge and safety and holiness, Makonnen’s artwork provides some semblance of that for the spirits of the fallen and slain after their lives have ended.
    — Shantay Robinson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
Definition of holiness
Noun
  • These men shower their wives with praise, heartfelt captions and picture-perfect moments, creating an image of unwavering devotion.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • One, more light-hearted story is about the deity Krishna — whose skin was blue — and his love Radha, the goddess of love and devotion.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of devotion
Noun
  • At just 24 years old, Bramlett took a leap of faith that would change both her life and the life of a 5-year-old boy in need of a home.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Yet, for a faith steeped in the veneration of the remains–or relics–of saints, St. Patrick’s relics have been debated by historians, archeologists, and the clergy for centuries.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of faith
Noun
  • Others may decide to get involved in spirituality or religion.
    — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • From Senegal to Angola, Africans were using the surf, the ocean, and rivers as a means of recreation, spirituality, community building, and commerce.
    — Outside Online, Outside Online, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of spirituality
Noun
  • All the while, her bluegrass and country allegiance is unmistakable.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Carney and his cabinet swore allegiance to King Charles III in their oaths.
    — Olivia Kemp, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of allegiance
Noun
  • The vast sums of money that Abbott unleashed, along with his zero-sum assessment of political loyalty, has proved persuasive.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The successful ones manage to create experiential spaces that become cultural and lifestyle phenomenons while also reinforcing brand appeal and loyalty.
    — Clara Ludmir, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of loyalty
Noun
  • Beyond her vocal talent, Summer’s dedication to refining her craft sets her apart.
    — Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Wolf and Vrabel both emphasized Spillane’s dedication, going from an undrafted free agent who had to try out to earn his spot with the Titans during rookie minicamp in 2018 to a player who has accumulated over 140 tackles in consecutive years.
    — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of dedication

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Cite this Entry

“Piety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piety. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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