unholy

adjective

un·​ho·​ly ˌən-ˈhō-lē 

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

That unholy alliance, which is an unlikely alliance, is anchored first and foremost to the loathing of Western civilization. —Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 19 Nov. 2025

The film narrates the story of a convent located in the South of Spain, where a sect of unholy nuns served as a coven to find the perfect womb for the son of the devil to make his entry on earth. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025

That means a huge payday for the shaman and his team, but no amount of money is worth the unholy hell unleashed. —Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025

But who doubts that money has an unholy influence on our elections? —Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for unholy

• acholi
• emboli
• sertoli
• benzimidazole
• dipyridamole
• itraconazole
• ketoconazole
• metronidazole
• sulfathiazole
• thiabendazole
• carbazole
• gladioli

Kids Definition

unholy

adjective

un·​ho·​ly ˌən-ˈhō-lē 

ˈən-

: not holy : profane, wicked

unholiness noun