holy

adjective

ˈhō-lē How to pronounce holy (audio)
Definition of holynext
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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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

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 Under what was known as the Status Quo, a set of unwritten understandings between Israel and Jordan, the custodian of Jerusalem’s Muslim holy sites, Jews could visit the shrine, but only Muslims could worship there. — Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026 Earlier on Saturday, the Houthies threatened new attacks on the kingdom's airports, except for the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, warning passengers not to travel. — CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026 In these labors, Carson is akin to two other recent laureates, Jon Fosse and László Krasznahorkai, our foremost writers of holy fools. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026 Groff’s writing is always transcendent, and her prose is especially on display in Matrix’s passages of holy visions, bodily lust, and political power. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for holy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holy
  1. pious
  2. sacred
  3. divine
  4. religious
  5. liturgical
  6. heavenly
  7. devout
  8. blessed
Adjective
  • The Chicano values of the younger generation aren’t in alignment with the political orientation of the pious old guard.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • But the overall picture of religious infighting in 1640s Britain is essential to understanding how some people, especially poorer folk and especially women, found themselves on the wrong side of powerful, pious opponents.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of pious
Adjective
  • Gloria Molina Grand Park transforms into an illuminated, sacred civic sanctuary for the 2026 presentation of Downtown Día de los Muertos.
    — Staff Photographer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Peter Else, a local environmentalist, has spent years fighting SunZia in court over its intrusion into the scenic San Pedro Valley, a region that is sacred to Indigenous communities such as the Tohono O’odham Nation and San Carlos Apache Tribe.
    — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sacred
Adjective
  • My room was divine—a study in white on white on cream on winter white.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Recognizing this divine reality even a little, brings tangible, healing comfort to anyone who opens up their heart to it.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of divine
Adjective
  • As same-day voters go to the polls for the midterm elections next week, the Supreme Court will hear a major religious liberty case over a Colorado universal preschool program with implications beyond the Centennial State.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Reactions could be split along religious lines—and some belief systems may be better equipped to deal with aliens than others, experts say.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of religious
Adjective
  • Along with the album, U2 released two surprise EPs this year, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, that turn out to be conceptually linked to the new album via the liturgical calendar, with carnival preceding Lent and Easter.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
  • For seventeen years, graduation season had carried a liturgical cadence for him.
    — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of liturgical
Adjective
  • The delectable dip paired with the sugary chips was a heavenly combination, with a surprising burst of chocolate in every scoop.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The duo think they’re headed to the heavenly afterlife only to arrive at the office of the Devil (voiced by Culkin), who seems overwhelmed by his job.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of heavenly
Adjective
  • And a few hours later (and a little further left of pop stardom’s center), two other artists with highly devout followings also drew signifcant buzz for teaming up on record for the first time.
    — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, Ali stars as Latif, a devout Muslim and contract killer who travels across Houston in an effort to protect his three children following the death of his wife.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of devout
Adjective
  • Thai Buddhists fill a container with blessed water, which is attached to a pulley that leads to the upper part of the chedi.
    — Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Once, in the blessed era before the 24/7 news cycle and the omnipresence of social media, there was a lull in the months after the primary, with campaign activities picking back up around Labor Day.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of blessed

Phrases Containing holy

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hols
holy
holy day
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Cite this Entry

“Holy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holy. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on holy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about holy

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