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Definition of piously

piously

/ˈpaɪ.əs.li/
pi · ous · ly
Adjective:pious
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piously Lexical Profile

piously Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In a devoutly religious, reverent, or dutiful manner.

Example

"The congregation bowed their heads and prayed piously throughout the evening service."

2

In a sanctimonious, hypocritical, or self-righteous manner that makes a pretentious display of virtue.

Example

"The official spoke piously about fiscal responsibility while quietly approving lavish expenses for his own office."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Depending on context, "piously" can express either genuine religious reverence or a pejorative tone of hypocritical, holier-than-thou virtue.

• Nearby Words

pioneer
pioneering
pious
piously
piousness
pip
pipe

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from "pious" plus the adverbial suffix "-ly," ultimately deriving from the Latin "pius," meaning "dutiful, devout, or conscientious."

Cite this Entry

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