GODLY Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

godly

adjective

ˈgäd-lē

Definition of godly

as in pious

showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue a godly and humble man who will be richly rewarded in the next world

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in divine

of, relating to, or being God a godly voice from the heavens commanded him to build an ark

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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 godly Dozens of boys say they were abused in a Christian scouting program that vowed to raise godly men. — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 22 May 2026 But this new condominium features more than a godly cityscape. — Michael Gross, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026 Baruch Spinoza argued for a singular godly substance of which everything in existence is an attribute. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026 Trump’s version of Christianity instead preaches no mercy for those against him, demands followers exalt him above everything, celebrates the gaudy instead of the godly. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for godly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for godly

Adjective

Adenauer, De Gasperi, and Schuman were all devout Catholics, and Monnet, though not a religious man, was born into a pious Catholic family.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Philemon and Baucis, a pious Phrygian couple, hospitably received the disguised Zeus and Hermes after their richer neighbors had refused to do so.

— Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026

Definition of pious

Adjective

Some scholars suggest that the gods’ multiple heads and arms signify the dynamic nature of divine action.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Historians say the horns may have been blown to scare evil spirits, to proclaim victories, or as a way to encourage divine mercy.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of divine

Adjective

Most are men between the ages of 18 and 49, without a college degree, earning less than $50,000 a year, less religious than average, and likely to also drink alcohol.

— Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Deepak and Madhu Ahuja, Plano, Texas, business owners who have been married for 34 years, were in the area for a religious journey to Mount Kailash, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

The first few generations of holy men who led Idaho’s congregations died, and no one took their place.

— Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
And make this little holy moment for yourself, this little spiritual realization of a kind of balance or play in your physical environment and that will heal you.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of holy

Adjective

This unfettered access — which can be challenging to find among human gurus — is what’s drawing more people to AI for spiritual guidance.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
The now-familiar blend of folk, soul, and psychedelia dominates the album aesthetically, though James took spiritual cues from recordings of meditative organ performances by Alice Coltrane.

— Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of spiritual

Adjective

These tens of thousands of petroglyphs depict animals, spiritual figures, and sacred stories.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
But Kuk, who started at Wan’s as a busboy at 13, then moved to working at the counter and then in the kitchen, also wanted to make changes that highlighted what the family considers sacred traditions.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sacred

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godliness

godly

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“Godly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/godly. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of godly

adjective

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