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Definition of impious

impious

/ˈɪm.pi.əs/
im · pi · ous
Adverb:impiously
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impious Lexical Profile

impious Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Showing a lack of respect or reverence, especially toward God, sacred things, or religious duties.

Example

"The ancient chronicler attributed the city's sudden downfall to the impious behavior of its rulers, who had neglected the traditional temple rites."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Notice that unlike 'pious' (pronounced with a long 'i' as in 'pie'), 'impious' is stressed on the first syllable with a short 'i' (/ˈɪmpɪəs/).

• Nearby Words

impetuousness
impetus
impinge
impious
impish
impishly
impishness

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Latin 'impius', meaning 'undutiful' or 'irreverent', formed by combining the privative prefix 'in-' ('not') with 'pius' ('dutiful, devout').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Impious. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/impious
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