SAINTLY Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

saintly

adjective

ˈsānt-lē

Definition of saintly

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

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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 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 Where ancient midwives had summoned divine assistance by uttering incantations, medieval maternity caregivers called upon saintly mothers by reciting rhythmical charms. — Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for saintly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for saintly

Adjective

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
Romania is one of the most pious countries in the European Union, with around 85% of the population identifying as religious.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of pious

Adjective

The backstory Personas in the hotel’s backstory include a Thai rockstar-slash-antiques collector, a devout Buddhist business tycoon, and a superstar designer.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Some of the plot points had changed—the pilgrim’s less-devout husband, for example, was a more robust character.

— Ellen O’Connell Whittet, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of devout

Adjective

Jones forced his religious and political views onto Levy throughout their relationship, according to prosecutors.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
One of the newly unemployed is Olivia Siffre (Rachel Keller), a fledgling lawyer who recently moved to California to get away from her hovering, hyper-religious parents.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

The sainted Tom Brady had a busload of go-to receivers over the years.

— Steve Buckley, New York Times, 2 June 2026
The movement had adherents among the student body and on the faculty at the Catholic University in Chiclayo, which has about ten thousand students, and the cathedral boasted an enormous portrait of Josemaria Escrivá, Opus Dei’s sainted founder.

— Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

Definition of sainted

Adjective

Groff’s writing is always transcendent, and her prose is especially on display in Matrix’s passages of holy visions, bodily lust, and political power.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Gifting the roses to holy shrines, images or basilicas separates them from any suggestion of political and religious alliance or favoritism.

— Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of holy

Adjective

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
Waterhouse often works with hairstylist Jacob Rozenberg, who has crafted her blonde hair into a reverent, glamorous bedhead.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of reverent

Browse Nearby Words

saintliness

saintly

saints

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“Saintly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saintly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of saintly

adjective

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