unholy

adjective

un·​ho·​ly ˌən-ˈhō-lē How to pronounce unholy (audio)
1
: showing disregard for what is holy : wicked
2
: deserving of censure
an unholy alliance
3
: very unpleasant : god-awful
an unholy mess
unholiness noun

Examples of unholy in a Sentence

Our finances were an unholy mess. They have spent an unholy amount of money on the project.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
An unholy chatter fills the soundtrack and what appears to be dozens upon dozens of shiny black bugs squirming and gnashing as each other. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025 Art and commerce are unholy bedfellows, and nowhere more so than in the music industry — never a savory business, not in the mob days and not now. Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2025 Best and biggest of the bits began with her in a ridiculous costume blending Glinda and the pope, singing an unholy Wicked x Conclave parody song. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025 An unholy abomination, Orlok is not supposed to be alive, and barely sustains himself with the lifeforce of the young, beautiful and healthy. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unholy 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unholy was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near unholy

Cite this Entry

“Unholy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unholy. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

unholy

adjective
un·​ho·​ly ˌən-ˈhō-lē How to pronounce unholy (audio)
ˈən-
: not holy : profane, wicked
unholiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unholy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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