Saintliness: meaning, definitions and examples

Saintliness is used to describe a very high degree of virtue and moral purity, often associated with religious figures or people who exhibit extraordinary benevolence and selflessness.

• Her saintliness was evident in her tireless work with the poor and sick.

Holiness is often used in religious contexts to denote the state of being holy, sacred, or dedicated to God. It can describe people, places, or objects that are considered holy.

• The holiness of the church was palpable during the prayer service.
• He lived his life in holiness and devotion.

Piety describes a respectful and devout adherence to religious practices and beliefs. It often suggests a deep, personal, and sincere commitment to one's faith.

• Her piety was clear in her daily prayers and attendance at religious services.
• He was admired for his piety and devotion to his faith.

Virtue refers to general moral excellence and righteousness. It can be used to describe specific moral qualities or characteristics.

• Kindness is a virtue that should be practiced daily.
• She was praised for her virtue and integrity.

Goodness refers to the quality of being morally good or kind, and can be used in both everyday and formal contexts.

• His goodness was evident in his actions and kind words.
• She was known for her goodness and generosity.

Use when describing someone with exceptional holiness and virtue, often in a religious context.

• Her saintliness was evident in her selfless acts of charity.
• The monk's saintliness inspired many to lead better lives.

Typically used to describe someone whose thoughts and actions are free from immorality or corruption.

• The leader’s moral purity made him a revered figure in the community.
• They admired her moral purity and commitment to ethical behavior.

Used when you want to convey that someone is morally strong and consistently behaves ethically.

• Their uprightness was evident in their refusal to lie or cheat.
• He was respected for his uprightness and unwavering commitment to doing what is right.

Best suited for situations where you want to describe someone who is honest and adheres to strong moral and ethical principles.

• His integrity was never in question, even when faced with difficult decisions.
• She handled the situation with integrity, refusing to compromise her values.

Often used in formal situations to describe someone’s ability to maintain moral correctness and righteousness.

• His rectitude in business dealings earned him the respect of his peers.
• The judge was known for his rectitude and fairness.