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

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
Then, over the following years, came sustainability and strict reuse and ascetic renunciation, and today, finally, its photo series and articles advocated for a mild, slightly quirky anticapitalist metaphysics.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026

Definition of ascetic

Adjective

But to say that Real Housewives lives in the same spiritual neighborhood as Big Little Lies, White Lotus, Girls Trip, and The Substance better captures the drama, the comedy, and the eternal fight against aging.

— Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
For decades, metaphysical stores and botanicas have sold religious items and offered spiritual cleansings and readings in spite of stigmatization and gentrification.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 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

Tigua dancers of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo performed a prayerful ceremony traditional before a hunt.

— Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2026
That’s the prayerful explanation for the nonsense that spouted this week from the leaders of a football conference that hopes to grow up and be the Big Ten someday.

— Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 29 May 2026

Definition of prayerful

Adjective

Luccardi’s relationship with it was rather less reverential by the end of the shoot.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
There was the viral pleasure and even pride in seeing foreigners encounter Buc-ee’s with reverential appreciation or giddily experience industrial quantities of Mountain Dew Baja Blast at Taco Bell.

— Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Definition of reverential

Adjective

Around them, an aristocratic winemaker defines his legacy, a legendary maître d’hôtel seeks his heir, and a reverent wine critic pursues the sublime.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026
These movies always run the risk of being overly reverent, and for better and worse, Johnson’s take on Bourdain’s formative years is not concerned with reverence.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of reverent

Adjective

Most are men between the ages of 18 and 49, without a college degree, earning less than $50,000 a year, less religious than average, and likely to also drink alcohol.

— Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Deepak and Madhu Ahuja, Plano, Texas, business owners who have been married for 34 years, were in the area for a religious journey to Mount Kailash, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of religious

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“Pietistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pietistic. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pietistic

adjective

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