as in atheistical
not showing proper reverence for the holy or sacred
an impious act that horrified their pious mother
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Recent Examples of impious
The only true dictionary is the lost one, the dictionary of the language that perished when the impious tower was built: the original language, God’s language.
—
Mariana Dimópulos, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
This game must have seemed profane to the Greeks, or even impious.
—Simone Weil, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
This game must have seemed profane to the Greeks, or even impious.
—Simone Weil, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024
Both narratives, private and public, differently restrict our access, so the ideal historian will need great tact and an impious curiosity.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Sarah Thompson, the MFA’s curator of Japanese Art, and curatorial assistant Kendall DeBoer, who put the show’s more than 350 works together, deserve credit for being impious, not reverent.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Mar. 2023
To cut short these death throes is both impious (for those who believe) and immoral (for anyone).
—Michel Houellebecq, Harper’s Magazine , 6 Jan. 2023
Bragadin’s cash was funding heavy gambling and elaborate, impious scenes of seduction.
—Clare Bucknell, Harper’s Magazine , 26 Oct. 2022
Bragadin’s cash was funding heavy gambling and elaborate, impious scenes of seduction.
—Clare Bucknell, Harper’s Magazine , 26 Oct. 2022
Mariana Dimópulos, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
This game must have seemed profane to the Greeks, or even impious.
—Simone Weil, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
This game must have seemed profane to the Greeks, or even impious.
—Simone Weil, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024
Both narratives, private and public, differently restrict our access, so the ideal historian will need great tact and an impious curiosity.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Sarah Thompson, the MFA’s curator of Japanese Art, and curatorial assistant Kendall DeBoer, who put the show’s more than 350 works together, deserve credit for being impious, not reverent.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Mar. 2023
To cut short these death throes is both impious (for those who believe) and immoral (for anyone).
—Michel Houellebecq, Harper’s Magazine , 6 Jan. 2023
Bragadin’s cash was funding heavy gambling and elaborate, impious scenes of seduction.
—Clare Bucknell, Harper’s Magazine , 26 Oct. 2022
Bragadin’s cash was funding heavy gambling and elaborate, impious scenes of seduction.
—Clare Bucknell, Harper’s Magazine , 26 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impious
Adjective
-
Surely, there’s something utterly sacrilegious about laughing hysterically at actors giving God the middle finger.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 June 2025
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Some of this may seem sacrilegious to the F1 fans who got into the sport because of Emerson Fittipaldi, Alain Prost, and Aryton Senna, rather than Drive to Survive, but there’s no denying that the Miami Grand Prix is a success.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
For me, being a man controlled by God, things that are blasphemous always alert me.—
Angel Diaz,
Billboard,
2 May 2025
-
Many Muslims found some of the depictions offensive and even blasphemous.—
Lola Fadulu,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Its followers, estimated to be in the millions in America, hold supernatural beliefs and goals of transforming secular society.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
-
The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will also be in attendance offering secular blessings.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Now that Reebok is back in the golf market, the long-standing athletic label has collaborated with golf brand Manors for the first time to create a collection blending heritage performance with an irreverent take on golf culture.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
6 June 2025
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Whereas Vice built buzz with bold colors, graphics and irreverent digital marketing, Snyder is banking mostly on technical credibility coupled with a very ground-up approach to connecting with golfers.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impious. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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