PIETISTIC Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

pietistic

adjective

Definition of pietistic

as in ascetic

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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 pietistic Though arguably one of the most pietistic, genuine and well-intentioned presidents of the 20th century, Carter’s presidency was clouded by challenges, many of which were out of his control. — Noah Eckstein, Variety, 29 Dec. 2024 Warnock’s doctoral thesis, the basis of a book published in 2013, was about the divide in the Black church between a pietistic tradition, which emphasized individual righteousness and uplift, and a social one, epitomized by King. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2022 The official version of Irish history was a dour, gray, pietistic nationalism. — Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2022 Fonny grew up there, too, with his alcoholic father (Michael Beach), unforgivingly pietistic mother (Aunjanue Ellis), and judgmental sisters (Ebony Obsidian and Dominique Thorne). — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, 18 Sep. 2018 My personal Sharia tells me how to pray, how to fast, how to follow my personal pietistic laws, but then there is Sharia that gets involved in criminal law, that gets involved in prohibiting siege. — Fox News, 18 June 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pietistic

Adjective

But there is a certain ascetic simplicity to this labyrinthine heritage building that remains relatively unadorned.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of ascetic

Adjective

Each work takes its cues from Vodou spiritual practices in Haiti that are grounded in their African roots.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Since those moments Birmingham has occupied a central space in the physical and spiritual lineage of America's Civil Rights Movement.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of spiritual

Adjective

After a while, though, all the professions of sincerity and thanks, the constant invocations of the one true POTUS, and the worshipful exhibits upstairs give the whole place a cultish, nostalgic gleam.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 June 2026
The secret in the biscuits is the pairing of cheddar with bacon, with the overall result being worshipful thanks from those who are lucky enough to partake.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 May 2026

Definition of worshipful

Adjective

His prayerful recognition of God’s supremacy and government of the universe refreshed his heart and lifted his thought above the human fears and limitations that plague an illusory, material sense of existence.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026
Tigua dancers of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo performed a prayerful ceremony traditional before a hunt.

— Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2026

Definition of prayerful

Adjective

Both of those series were dedicated to presenting American Muslim life in a way that was neither overly reverential nor simplistic and stilted.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Luccardi’s relationship with it was rather less reverential by the end of the shoot.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of reverential

Adjective

Brought from the page to the gallery wall, Loran’s diagram looks a bit like anti-art rather than reverent analysis of a masterpiece.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
But an extensive fiiing made by the trust to a Tennessee court late Tuesday afternoon paint a different portrait of Seaver than the reverent one seen in the death announcement video.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of reverent

Adjective

Its accompanying music video, directed by longtime U2 collaborator Anton Corbijn, was filmed in the California desert and satirizes the band as a religious cult in which women do the heavy lifting.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week Hasan’s execution would be livestreamed, eliciting pushback from Democrats, Republicans and religious advocates about the idea.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of religious

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“Pietistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pietistic. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pietistic

adjective

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