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
And Sylvia’s saintly husband Charlie (Luke Macfarlane) again grows frustrated that his wife keeps prioritizing her college buddy over him.
—
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Martin Scorsese will be back to tell more saintly tales.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 June 2025
Luckily for them, Jonathan decided to take the longest water break in the history of The Amazing Race, much to the detriment of his very patient and saintly wife.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 2 Apr. 2025
The contrast between the saintly behavior expected of these evangelists and their less-than-righteous day-to-day lives is a reliable, ever-replenishing fountain of comedy, as everlasting as the Lord’s love.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saintly
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Martin Scorsese will be back to tell more saintly tales.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 June 2025
Luckily for them, Jonathan decided to take the longest water break in the history of The Amazing Race, much to the detriment of his very patient and saintly wife.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 2 Apr. 2025
The contrast between the saintly behavior expected of these evangelists and their less-than-righteous day-to-day lives is a reliable, ever-replenishing fountain of comedy, as everlasting as the Lord’s love.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saintly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saintly
Adjective
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In addition to the pious, persevering Goma and flawed Chandravati in the mortal realm, in the divine realm there are the goddesses Sati and her reincarnation as Parvati.—
Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
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In theory, their story ought to have enough drama to satisfy both pious and secular tastes.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Cipriani grew up a choir boy in a working-class section of Philadelphia, the fourth of five children in a devout Italian Catholic family.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
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Amar’e Stoudemire, the American-Israeli basketball star who became a devout convert to Judaism after retiring, is reportedly headed to the hall of fame.—
Jacob Gurvis,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Tobolowsky previously rejected motions from other Gateway elders, ruling that the suit was not a religious issue and could be handled in secular court.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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Officials in these countries have argued that the Brotherhood operates through a mix of religious outreach, political activism, charitable organizations and media platforms to influence public opinion and challenge state authority.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 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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On Sunday, police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the church, citing security concerns as Israel enforces a ban on gatherings in synagogues, churches and mosques during the ongoing war with Iran, which has brought missile strikes near holy sites.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The day commemorates the return of Jesus to Jerusalem and is the week leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection; the week is the holiest in the Christian calendar.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The gallery hummed with the ideal number and mix of people—reverent Sherald fans, art students in statement glasses, and little kids rushing up to the massive canvases and screaming in delight.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
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In this environment of diffused light and reverent craftsmanship are 89 guest rooms and suites plus three completely unique dining concepts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Saintly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saintly. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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