god-fearing
5 synonyms and 3 antonyms for god-fearing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Deeply religious in a way that shows in how you live, marked by reverence for God and by moral, respectable conduct.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use god-fearing
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Almost always approving, and often used to signal traditional respectability as much as belief. Capitalisation of God varies; God-fearing is the more traditional styling.
Etymology
A compound of God and fearing, using fear in its older sense of awe and reverence rather than fright.
Full origin of god-fearing →Frequently asked questions
Does god-fearing mean being afraid of God?
No. Fear here carries its older sense of awe and deep respect, the same sense as in 'the fear of the Lord'. A god-fearing person reveres God rather than being frightened of him.
What is the difference between god-fearing and religious?
Religious simply says a person holds and practises a faith. God-fearing adds a moral judgement, suggesting the person is honest, decent and traditional in conduct because of that faith, and it is nearly always meant as praise.