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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Recent Examples of saintly
Where ancient midwives had summoned divine assistance by uttering incantations, medieval maternity caregivers called upon saintly mothers by reciting rhythmical charms.
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Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
The truth is that the flamenco-fusion artist undertook years of research and hired the London Symphony Orchestra not to teach—nor even, despite her saintly air, to preach.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
Bouldering Project officially marks its entrance into the saintly city on Saturday when the doors open to its 36,000-square-foot bouldering facility in St. Paul’s West Side neighborhood.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 14 Nov. 2025
Plus, their father was the deacon of the local Catholic congregation – all the more reason to maintain a saintly lifestyle.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saintly
Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
The truth is that the flamenco-fusion artist undertook years of research and hired the London Symphony Orchestra not to teach—nor even, despite her saintly air, to preach.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
Bouldering Project officially marks its entrance into the saintly city on Saturday when the doors open to its 36,000-square-foot bouldering facility in St. Paul’s West Side neighborhood.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 14 Nov. 2025
Plus, their father was the deacon of the local Catholic congregation – all the more reason to maintain a saintly lifestyle.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saintly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saintly
Adjective
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Maria, austere and deeply pious, runs the business with an iron hand, obsessed with making the family’s origins forgotten.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
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As Mildred Layton, the pious pastor’s wife first played on screen by Kristin Chenoweth, Ana Gasteyer is in her element.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The series written by Tolkien, a devout Catholic, became a popular franchise with conservatives.—
Alexander Hall,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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There are other surprises in store for even the most devout Frankenthaler fans.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Many, though not all, Shiites support Hezbollah, as do Lebanese from other religious groups.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
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Hunting, gathering, and ceremonies connected to the Brunot lands are integral to Ute religious and cultural life, with the Ute people historically returning to familiar hunting and gathering areas year after year.—
Shaun Chapoose,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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Reviews rank it only behind the sainted Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar; 711 W. Magnolia Ave., 682-326-1994, instagram.com/yoichi_omakase_handroll.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
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His new film Fatherland, like Cold War and Ida, is shot in a lustrous monochrome that turns shadows into punctuation marks and sunbeams into something holy, and that makes its performers, chief among them an incredible Sandra Hüller, look lit from within.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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Jews revere the site as the Temple Mount, where the biblical temples once stood and the holiest site in Judaism.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Breakfast included, indoor fireplace, backyard, desert views Found on Navajo land in Arizona, Shash Dine’ draws visitors thanks to its stargazing opportunities, as well as its reverent efforts to keep indigenous culture and tradition alive.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
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In the sumptuousness of the bibliophile’s parlor, studying Black history occasioned reverent, joyous gatherings.—
Laura E. Helton,
Literary Hub,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Saintly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saintly. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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