saintly patience

USAGE SUMMARY

"saintly patience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who displays a great deal of patience and understanding. For example, "Her saintly patience was remarkable, even when her children misbehaved in public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Family squalls are another matter - endure with saintly patience.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That helps explain why they show saintly patience with losing sports teams and touching fidelity to small shopkeepers.

The New York Times

It is a job he did not seek, but he has embraced it with saintly patience and good-natured vigor.

The New York Times

With saintly patience, Mr Fukuyama put up with wilful misunderstandings of what he had meant, and soon turned to other large subjects.

The Economist

The very picture of a tradition as burnished as its mahogany drams, revered worldwide, Armagnac has always been a product of exacting process mixed with a saintly patience.

The New York Times

The Iraqi is a man of saintly patience, forced to make all kinds of compromises just to get round to discussing Iraq; the American is repeatedly challenged.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Service was otherwise professional, frank and generous — the staff is the size of a small army — and reservationists were saintly in their patience.

The New York Times

Brooks's script requires her to be saintly in her patience with Melvin, while standing up to him when it's necessary; she also plays the concerned mom to a sick kid as well as the magical muse for Melvin's artist neighbor (Greg Kinnear), inspiring him back into productivity by letting him draw her nude.

Vice

To get one diva in court is an ordeal, to get two would test the patience of even the saintly Judge Judy.

Independent

Inner goodness notwithstanding, this was still a talent contest and we wouldn't have patience for an otherwise saintly person who mocked the process.

Huffington Post

Long-term houseguests, however appealing and exotic, would surely test the patience of even the saintliest economist, to say nothing of an evident curmudgeon like Walter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "saintly patience" when you want to emphasize not just patience, but also the virtuous or almost superhuman quality of that patience. It is particularly effective when describing someone who remains calm and understanding in exceptionally challenging or frustrating situations.

Common error

Avoid using "saintly patience" to describe ordinary situations that require normal patience. The phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the level of patience displayed is truly exceptional or unexpected. Using it too often can dilute its impact and sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "saintly patience" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "saintly" modifies the noun "patience". It describes a quality or characteristic, as evidenced by Ludwig examples where it's used to characterize individuals or behaviors. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "saintly patience" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to describe an extraordinary level of patience, often associated with virtuous or almost divine qualities. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to emphasize exceptional forbearance and understanding in challenging situations. While less formal alternatives exist, "saintly patience" is particularly effective when highlighting remarkable calmness and comprehension that surpasses typical expectations. Remember to reserve this phrase for truly exceptional cases to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavenly composure

Connects patience with divinity.

angelic tolerance

Connects tolerance with divinity.

infinite tolerance

Emphasizes the boundless capacity for enduring difficulties or provocations.

divine forbearance

Highlights the merciful and lenient aspect of patience, similar to a divine quality.

unflappable composure

Focuses on maintaining calmness and poise under pressure, rather than necessarily implying moral virtue.

unwavering understanding

Stresses the compassionate aspect of patience, focusing on deep empathy and acceptance.

long-suffering attitude

Highlights enduring hardship without complaint, but with less approval and more bitterness than "saintly patience".

godlike serenity

Connects to imperturbability like a deity or saint might display, changing patience for serenity.

remarkable stoicism

Highlights enduring hardship without complaint, changing patience for stoicism.

exemplary restraint

Refers to controlling one's impulses and reactions, changing patience for restraint.

FAQs

How can I use "saintly patience" in a sentence?

You can use "saintly patience" to describe someone who shows remarkable calmness and understanding, even in difficult situations. For example, "Despite the constant interruptions, the teacher displayed "saintly patience" with her students."

What's a less formal alternative to "saintly patience"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, consider phrases like "remarkable patience", "incredible tolerance", or "unbelievable composure". These options convey a similar meaning without the religious connotation of "saintly".

What does "saintly" imply when describing patience?

"Saintly" implies that the patience is not only great in degree but also morally virtuous, almost to a divine extent. It suggests a level of understanding and forbearance that goes beyond ordinary human capacity.

Is "saintly patience" always appropriate, or are there situations where it might not fit?

"Saintly patience" is most appropriate in situations where the patience displayed is truly exceptional and perhaps unexpected, given the circumstances. It might not be suitable in everyday scenarios or when describing ordinary patience, as it can sound hyperbolic or overly dramatic. Consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase.