PIETY Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

piety

noun

ˈpī-ə-tē

Definition of piety

as in religion

belief and trust in and loyalty to God her piety is quiet but profound

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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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 Eventually, Inaba looks after Mii with all the loyalty, piety, and sometimes uncomfortable intimacy of a person caring for their aging parent. — Literary Hub, 15 June 2026 Honoring Catalonia’s Christian traditions Earlier Wednesday, Leo celebrated the centuries-old Catalan tradition of popular piety by praying at Montserrat, a mountain complex outside the city that is dear to many Catalans. — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 Leo celebrated their centuries-old tradition of popular piety by praying at Montserrat, a mountain complex outside the city that is dear to many Catalans. — ABC News, 10 June 2026 Trump has always relied upon interim appointments as much as possible, given their filial piety of the office holder to Trump, as their legitimacy is anchored only by his authority and not Congressional confirmation. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for piety

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piety

Noun

Galliano retreated from public life for two years and was found guilty by a Paris court of public insults based on religion, race and ethnicity.

— Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2026
The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of religion

Noun

Soul is a synonym for God, or Spirit, and expresses the vast and eternal beauty of holiness, reflected in man and the universe.

— Dilshad Khambatta Eames, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
The saints’ books, rich vestments and formal poses were visible signs of holiness, symbolizing their learning, discipline and eloquence.

— Denva Gallant, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Definition of holiness

Noun

Among the artistic practices highlighted will be those that center physical science, astronomy, geology, spirituality, mythology, and abstraction.

— News Desk, Artforum, 25 Aug. 2026
Researchers said participants wanted content creators, influencers and television and film producers to offer more nuanced and authentic portrayals of religion and spirituality.

— City News Service, Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of spirituality

Noun

But when al-Baghdadi announced in April 2013 that the Nusra Front would be folded into the Islamic State group, al-Sharaa refused and pledged allegiance to al-Qaida’s Ayman al-Zawahiri instead.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Many New Yorkers who remained behind British lines during the war were not supporters of the Revolution, but in naming their son after George Washington, the Irvings declared their allegiance.

— Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of allegiance

Noun

But without independent oversight into such decisions, oversight that Syria has yet to establish, centralization could also revive the Assad-era practice of offering economic access as a reward for political loyalty.

— Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
The Basij run a nationwide network of volunteers who maintain a presence in the streets, government offices and cultural centers, seeking to ensure loyalty and ideological purity for Iran’s theocracy.

— Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of loyalty

Noun

Our nurses play an essential role in caring for others with compassion and dedication, and this loss is being felt across our entire community.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Rogers’ heartfelt dedication touched on each of those points, remembering Parton for her charitable spirit and immense talent.

— Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of dedication

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pietists

piety

piffle

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

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