impious
adjective
im·pi·ous
ˈim-pē-əs 
(ˌ)im-ˈpī-
(ˌ)im-ˈpī-
: not pious : lacking in reverence or proper respect (especially for God) : irreverent
impiously
adverb
Synonyms of impious
Examples of impious in a Sentence
He was fearful of seeming impious.
an impious act that horrified their pious mother
Recent Examples on the Web
Many other traditionalists have made a version of Scruton’s critique, insisting that contemporary art reflects self-indulgent, relativistic, and impious tendencies.
—
Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
While no formal announcement has been made to update its longstanding alcohol ban, Andrew Leber of Tulane University said this is in line with the Kingdom’s past approach to such potentially impious reforms.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
How impious is the title of sacred Majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!
—Charles Hilu, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2025
The only true dictionary is the lost one, the dictionary of the language that perished when the impious tower was built: the original language, God’s language.
—Mariana Dimópulos, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
This game must have seemed profane to the Greeks, or even impious.
—Simone Weil, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
Both narratives, private and public, differently restrict our access, so the ideal historian will need great tact and an impious curiosity.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
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Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
While no formal announcement has been made to update its longstanding alcohol ban, Andrew Leber of Tulane University said this is in line with the Kingdom’s past approach to such potentially impious reforms.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
How impious is the title of sacred Majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!
—Charles Hilu, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2025
The only true dictionary is the lost one, the dictionary of the language that perished when the impious tower was built: the original language, God’s language.
—Mariana Dimópulos, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
This game must have seemed profane to the Greeks, or even impious.
—Simone Weil, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
Both narratives, private and public, differently restrict our access, so the ideal historian will need great tact and an impious curiosity.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Impious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impious. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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