1
as in pious
showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue
the holy monk spent many hours on his knees in prayer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sacred
set apart or worthy of veneration by association with God
the Torah contains the holy writings of Judaism
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3
as in divine
of, relating to, or being God
the Holy Trinity
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4
as in pure
not to be violated, criticized, or tampered with
the hour every Saturday she listens to her radio program is holy and you'd better not make her miss it
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holy
There are no direction markers, no information board to explain that here, nestled between an air-conditioner repair shop and a gaming cafe, lies one of Brazilian football’s holy sites.
—
Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The brewer's smooth Absolution Amber is a crowd favorite, while the Bienna marries the proud brewing tradition of Mexican- and Vienna-style lagers under one (ostensibly holy) roof.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 6 Oct. 2025
The Manchester police were calling on people to stay inside and avoid the area, but that message was not reaching the community deep in prayer on this holiest of days.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
In Catholicism, veneration is a showing of respect for saints, and their holy lives led with virtue.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holy
Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The brewer's smooth Absolution Amber is a crowd favorite, while the Bienna marries the proud brewing tradition of Mexican- and Vienna-style lagers under one (ostensibly holy) roof.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 6 Oct. 2025
The Manchester police were calling on people to stay inside and avoid the area, but that message was not reaching the community deep in prayer on this holiest of days.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
In Catholicism, veneration is a showing of respect for saints, and their holy lives led with virtue.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holy
Adjective
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Supported, at least initially, by his pious wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani), and his two teenage daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki), Iman and his clan seem set for a comfy bourgeois life.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
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According to Singh, Bishnoi has cultivated the public persona of a pious man dedicated to God and justice.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This rich resin is ancient yet modern, sacred yet sensual.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
16 Oct. 2025
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For those who treat their java ritual as a sacred chemistry experiment, the Fellow Tally Pro Precision scale, which has three modes for perfect proportions, is basically like having your own café.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The New Moon is ruled by Venus, who’s just come home to Libra, adding a layer of divine ease and elegance to the cosmic weather.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
19 Oct. 2025
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Wouldn’t Bette Davis in Now Voyager have looked divine pinning a Jennifer Behr crystal flower to her 1940s dress?—
Lynn Yaeger,
Vogue,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Not long after the accident, Thurlow had a religious awakening.—
Andy Kroll,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
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Kuelap Fortress, considered the Machu Picchu of the north, is a striking wonder perched on top of a cliff that likely served as a religious center.—
Jen Richt,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This dish is a heavenly mishmash between creamy, decadent risotto and jambalaya.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
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Guests will do a double-take at this piece that looks like something out of a heavenly boutique hotel.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Many Latin acts, particularly from Puerto Rico, are devout Christians but don’t share their beliefs in their music.—
Leila Cobo,
Billboard,
15 Oct. 2025
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Gender and sexuality A devout Christian, Kirk spoke often of his support for traditional family values, promoting the importance of raising children.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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You're blessed, very blessed, very fortunate.—
Senior Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
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Meyers, who graciously agreed to an Evite for the blessed event, then suggested Swift send the invites in a picture frame, since people will probably frame it up anyway.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There is a fine line between reverent homage and cheap pastiche; Shelby Oaks largely exists on the latter side.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Oct. 2025
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Del Toro loves playing around in genres, and his remake of the 1947 film (itself based on the William Lindsay Gresham novel) represents what’s best (and also what’s limiting) about his reverent enthusiasm.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holy. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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