Phrase guide

saving grace

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A redeeming quality or factor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable

Examples

  • For all his treachery and deception, he had one saving grace: good manners.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

God's grace or blessing, enabling sinners to attain salvation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: lifestyle, religion, theology

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a redeeming quality or characteristic

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • her love of music remains her one saving grace
  • her sense of humor has to be a saving grace
  • the saving grace for both developments is that they are creating jobs

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: characteristic

4

noun

Meaning 4

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the conception of grace developed alongside the conception of sin
  • it was debated whether saving grace could be obtained outside the membership of the church
  • the Virgin lived in a state of grace

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: grace, state of grace

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: state

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: gracia salvante — Translations
  • Spanish: gracia salvadora — Translations
  • Spanish: gracia salvífica — Translations