unholy

adjective

un·​ho·​ly ˌən-ˈhō-lē 

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

Listen to this article An NYPD chaplain had an unholy hookup, according to police. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025

The company would, of course, open its coffers to spend an unholy amount of money on a Bond project. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025

This unholy morass of statutes, regulations, and court rulings creates confusion and uncertainty for tens of millions of student borrowers. —Preston Cooper, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

For a while, the march of communism and the rise of the movies proceeded independently, but the paths later converged -- an unholy alliance. —Peter Tonguette, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for unholy

• acholi
• emboli
• sertoli
• benzimidazole
• dipyridamole
• itraconazole
• ketoconazole
• metronidazole
• sulfathiazole
• thiabendazole
• carbazole
• gladioli

Kids Definition

unholy

adjective

un·​ho·​ly ˌən-ˈhō-lē 

ˈən-

: not holy : profane, wicked

unholiness noun