Ungodly: meaning, definitions and examples

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ungodly

 

[ ʌnˈɡɒdli ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

moral standards

Ungodly refers to actions, behaviors, or characteristics that are considered sinful or contrary to divine law. It often connotes a lack of reverence for God or a failure to adhere to religious principles.

Synonyms

blasphemous, immoral, sinful, wicked

Examples of usage

  • His ungodly behavior shocked the community.
  • They engaged in ungodly practices that led to their downfall.
  • The ungodly violence in the story left a lasting impact on the readers.

Translations

Translations of the word "ungodly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 iníquo

🇮🇳 नैतिकता के खिलाफ

🇩🇪 gottlos

🇮🇩 tidak beragama

🇺🇦 безбожний

🇵🇱 bezbożny

🇯🇵 神に背いた

🇫🇷 impie

🇪🇸 inmoral

🇹🇷 ilahi olmayan

🇰🇷 신을 거스르는

🇸🇦 غير إلهي

🇨🇿 bezbožný

🇸🇰 bezbožný

🇨🇳 不敬神的

🇸🇮 brezbožen

🇮🇸 guðlaus

🇰🇿 құдайсыз

🇬🇪 ღმერთის წინააღმდეგ

🇦🇿 ilahi olmayan

🇲🇽 inmoral

Etymology

The term 'ungodly' emerged in the English language during the Middle Ages, deriving from the Old English 'un' meaning 'not' and 'god' which comes from Proto-Germanic '*gadaz', referring to a deity. Initially, it was used to describe those who acted in ways that were considered non-conformist to the religious beliefs of the time. In medieval texts, it often denoted moral deviancy or a rejection of religious tenets, contrasting with the virtuous life praised in various religious teachings. Over the centuries, the word retained its negative connotations, aligning with notions of sinfulness and moral corruption, particularly as associated with the Christian faith. As society evolved, 'ungodly' came to be utilized in broader contexts, encompassing any actions that are deemed egregiously immoral or wicked, firmly cementing itself in the English lexicon as a descriptor for behaviors significantly at odds with societal and often religious expectations.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,296, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.