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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
This wasn’t just about his two spectacular touchdown receptions (but for the record, holy guacamole).
—
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
In the musical number, the siblings don elaborate angel wings that are too boastful to be holy.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025
The disquiet surfaces whenever software steps onto holy ground.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
In the study, six common types of basil—sweet, Thai, holy, lemon, cinnamon, and bush basil—were grown near bean plants.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holy
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
In the musical number, the siblings don elaborate angel wings that are too boastful to be holy.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025
The disquiet surfaces whenever software steps onto holy ground.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
In the study, six common types of basil—sweet, Thai, holy, lemon, cinnamon, and bush basil—were grown near bean plants.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holy
Adjective
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The mobius-thinking at times almost seems like Medieval Zen, what with the emphasis on emptiness and silent meditation, and in fact that was what the Church fathers objected to most: too much quiet, solitary contemplation, not enough pious instruction.—
Jon Raymond
August 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
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This may well sound like something that would’ve been played as a pious Christian allegory in another era.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Black people and Black Mormons were barred from sacred buildings, temples and practices until 1978.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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In France, August is sacred for summer holidays; in the UK or US, late-night calls are normal.—
Nathanael Bondu,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Her divine costumes throughout the clip mash up sacred imagery with biker style, including a blue hooded top with the sacred heart across the chest, and a whole lot of cross jewelry.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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This connection between the fruit and inherent holiness adds new meaning to the Song of Songs, where the love between two people can unknowingly be a divine revelation.—
Demir Alp,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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How the courts and legislatures balance the rights of the majority and minority in these disputes over the place of the Ten Commandments in public life may go a long way toward shaping the future of religious freedom in American public education.—
Lydia Artz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
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Families in Florida can also seek temporary or permanent exemptions for medical or religious reasons.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Best paired with Thai or Oriental cuisine, while roast turkey is a heavenly match.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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There is more than a bit of Freddie Mercury flair in Boone’s stage presence, as well as his multi-octave voice capable of hitting some heavenly notes.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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His devout love for these sneakers has also turned my grandma into a convert, and now the two happily sport their Kiziks all over Thailand, walking from food stall to food stall.—
Alexandra Domrongchai,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Aug. 2025
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The governor and first lady Maria Lee, both devout Christians, have been involved in missionary work and have helped refugees in the Nashville area.—
Kelly Puente,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Julia, on the other hand, announces her pregnancy to Lord Lovat, who is overjoyed by the blessed news.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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And the blessed thing that happened was Julie became part of my career.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The submissions tell a story of Massachusetts that is equal parts reverent and irreverent, with Bay Staters leaning on history while having fun with their future.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Stanton’s voice, once critical of Lincoln, became reverent by the time of his assassination.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holy. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
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