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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holy
Wahlberg plays a holy fool in Boogie Nights, our naïve but well-endowed guide through the heyday of theatrical pornography and its decline into something cheaper and tawdrier courtesy of the triumph of VHS.
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Carlson's speech came less than a day before Rosh Hashanah, regarded as the Jewish New Year and one of the holiest of days for the Jewish people.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
That’s the holy trinity of the liberal tradition.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holy
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Carlson's speech came less than a day before Rosh Hashanah, regarded as the Jewish New Year and one of the holiest of days for the Jewish people.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
That’s the holy trinity of the liberal tradition.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 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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To share that sacred experience with your mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother?—
Essence,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
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Millions of people around the world today are observing Yom Kippur, the most sacred holiday in the Jewish faith.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Pope was Polish, so maybe there was a bit of divine intervention with how Dudek performed.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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The timing of this movie feels divine.—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The process refers to soldiers who won’t fight on the basis of moral or religious grounds.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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Some religious schools offer discounts to families who are part of the church connected with the school.—
Rachel Wegner,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Apple dapple cake features warm, nutty flavors and is topped with a heavenly toffee glaze.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
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When it was released back in 2020, Ghost of Tsushima struck a chord with players with its razor-sharp samurai gameplay and heavenly aesthetics.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Alongside her estranged husband Ryan, the devout Moses (Hill), and new allies Samson (Feliz) and Delilah (Obsidian), Virginia must outmaneuver billionaire cult leader Luther Bell, played with magnetic menace by Esposito.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
4 Oct. 2025
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Howard was remembered as a devout member of his church and a stubborn, loving patriarch.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In recent times, movie stars have largely ceded the spotlight to intellectual property — DiCaprio is the blessed exception.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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His gentle manner and welcoming smile will long remain a blessed image for all those who love liberty.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That Maestro screening featured the vociferous participation of Leonard Bernstein’s surviving family members, as well as Cooper himself watching silently from the audience (the strike prevented him from doing more), a perfect companion to Cooper’s alternately reverent and over-the-top biopic.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
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The atmosphere is reverent and energized, with attendees standing in collective praise hours before the formal program begins.—
Amanda Castro
Mandy Taheri
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holy. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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