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PIOUS definition: 1. strongly believing in religion, and living in a way that shows this belief: 2. pretending to…. Learn more.
1. a. : marked by or showing reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship. b. : marked by conspicuous religiosity. a hypocrite—a thing all pious words and uncharitable deeds Charles Reade. 2. : sacred or devotional as distinct from the profane or secular : religious. a pious opinion. 3.
having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest wish to fulfill religious obligations. Synonyms: reverent, godly, devout. characterized by a hypocritical concern with virtue or religious devotion; sanctimonious.
If someone believes deeply in something, and lets everyone see it through their behavior, then they are pious, whether they're pious Christians or pious environmentalists. It differs from its synonym devout, which implies deep religious sentiment, whereas pious emphasizes the public display of feeling.
(disapproving) pretending to be religious, moral or good in order to impress other people synonym sanctimonious. pious sentiments. He dismissed his critics as pious do-gooders. a rather pious and condescending smile. pious hope something that you want to happen but is unlikely to be achieved.
If you describe someone as pious, you disapprove of the fact that they pretend to be very religious without being sincere. [ disapproval ] His attitude is compassionate without being pious.
1. having or expressing reverence for a god or gods; religious; devout. 2. marked by reverence. 3. marked by false reverence; sanctimonious. 4. sacred; not secular. 5. archaic having or expressing devotion for one's parents or others. [C17: from Latin pius, related to piāre to expiate] ˈpiously adv. ˈpiousness n.
