unholy

adjective

un·​ho·​ly ˌən-ˈhō-lē How to pronounce unholy (audio)
Synonyms of unholynext
1
: showing disregard for what is holy : wicked
2
: deserving of censure
an unholy alliance between politicians and lobbyists
3
: very unpleasant : god-awful
an unholy mess
unholiness noun

Examples of unholy in a Sentence

Our finances were an unholy mess. They have spent an unholy amount of money on the project.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Directed by the irreplaceable Anne Kauffman, Marjorie Prime (flawlessly performed by June Squibb, Cynthia Nixon, Danny Burstein and Christopher Lowell) suggests that few of us could resist the unholy temptation, and that all of our technological know-how won’t save us from our longings. Greg Evans, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025 Mary Shelley's 1818 novel fuses Gothic horror with unholy scientific experiments, and in del Toro's hands, the graphic details of Oscar Isaac's mad creation are on full display. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2025 Battles with the unholy thrive on churchly tones. Alex Ross, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025 So why is Prasad’s allegation that a very small number of kids have died from COVID shots being treated as some unholy aberration? Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unholy

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unholy was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unholy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unholy. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

unholy

adjective
un·​ho·​ly ˌən-ˈhō-lē How to pronounce unholy (audio)
ˈən-
: not holy : profane, wicked
unholiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unholy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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