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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in divine
of, relating to, or being God
the Holy Trinity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of holy
The holy grail of home horticulture is learning how to grow the perfect tomato crop just steps from your kitchen counter.
—
Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
At a small crossroads in southern France, in the 13th century, Dominic de Guzman, a holy man, recognized the necessity for sanctuary for women who rejected heresy and were in danger, according to the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 2 July 2025
The holy grail of powertrains is having just one moving part.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Live television had long been a holy grail for inventors.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for holy
Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
At a small crossroads in southern France, in the 13th century, Dominic de Guzman, a holy man, recognized the necessity for sanctuary for women who rejected heresy and were in danger, according to the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 2 July 2025
The holy grail of powertrains is having just one moving part.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Live television had long been a holy grail for inventors.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for holy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holy
Adjective
-
Moyers’ preacher-like delivery and emphasis on high moral standards in his commentaries led some people to criticize him as being a pious scold.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
-
This message and the pious and social acts of Eid, such as celebrating with friends and family and spreading acts of charity exemplify mindfulness and can be helpful when implemented regularly.—
Monica Haider,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
For five days, the city erupts into epic water battles, the Grand Parade of floats, live concerts, EDM zones, drone shows, and sacred Buddhist ceremonies.—
Ashlee Marie Preston,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Is my poetry equal to something so sacred and timeless?—
Literary Hub
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Sevens are the number of spiritual awakening, divine alignment, and completion.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 June 2025
-
Through this process, the soul becomes more attuned to divine energy, reaching a state of harmony with the higher dimensions.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
At the end of the day students from a religious order went back to the houses of their communities where professors from the order also lived and dined and prayed with them.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
The Senate parliamentarian spiked the part of the proposal that would exempt religious institutions from the tax, which, Fansmith says, was part of an effort to exempt the very conservative Hillsdale College from the endowment tax.—
Emma Whitford,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The result is a project that transformed a site of heavenly aspirations into one of earthly delight.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
27 June 2025
-
The key to harnessing all of this energy is to plant seeds, take initiative and begin something at this time to infuse it with this heavenly vibration.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Vance Boelter, the suspect in the attack, has been described as a devout Christian who has attended President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies, according to The Associated Press.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
-
Over the weekend, Elon Musk and others tried to paint the shooter as a violent leftist, but friends and former colleagues described Vance Boelter, who is charged in the killing, as a devout Christian and political conservative.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Acutis will be joined by the blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati when he is inscribed in the book of saints.—
Nick Butler,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
-
Everything from your connection with siblings to your thoughts and conversations will be under Jupiter’s blessed and cosmic rays.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
West's playing here is precise, reverent, never indulgent.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
19 June 2025
-
Craig is self-reflective while being appropriately reverent to the tropes of the genre.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share