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.
The laws might prevent what some people believe is morally right, or command – in the name of protecting others’ rights or the common good – what others regard as unjust or unholy. Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 To get this far, the architects navigated an unholy gauntlet of constraints. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026 Some unholy mix of all of that? Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026 But this unholy union isn’t completely in the clear yet, and there are still several potential regulatory and practical roadblocks that could stop it from coming to fruition. Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026 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 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

unholy

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

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