Unholiness: meaning, definitions and examples

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unholiness

[ʌnˈhoʊlinəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

lack of sacredness

Unholiness refers to the state of lacking sacredness or being impure. It is the opposite of holiness and is often associated with sin or evil.

Synonyms

impurity, profanity, sinfulness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unholiness	Duplicated entry. Please refer to the first entry for 'unholiness'.
impurity	Used to describe a state of being dirty or not pure, often in moral, physical, or chemical contexts. The impurity of the water made it unsafe to drink. The monk warned against the impurity of thoughts.
profanity	Refers to language or behavior that shows disrespect towards something sacred or moral values. It usually has a negative connotation. His speech was filled with profanity. The movie was criticized for its excessive use of profanity.
sinfulness	Usually used in a religious context to describe actions or behaviors that are considered sinful or morally wrong. The preacher condemned the sinfulness of lying. She repented for her sinfulness during the prayer.

Examples of usage

The unholiness of the ritual offended the devout followers.
The presence of darkness in the room added to the sense of unholiness.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

lack of sanctity

Unholiness can also be defined as the absence of sanctity or divine quality. It signifies a lack of reverence or respect for sacred things.

Synonyms

irreverence, profaneness, sacrilege.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unholiness	This word is often used in religious or moral contexts to describe someone or something that lacks holiness or sacredness. The unholiness of his actions shocked the entire congregation
irreverence	Typically used when someone shows a lack of respect towards someone or something usually regarded with respect or reverence. It has a slightly less severe tone than some of the other words. His irreverence towards authorities often got him in trouble
sacrilege	Appropriate in situations where there is a blatant misuse or disrespect of something sacred or holy. Often used in the context of religious traditions or practices. The act of tearing pages from the holy book was seen as sacrilege by the community
profaneness	Used to describe behavior or language that is deeply disrespectful towards what is considered sacred. It carries a strong negative connotation. People were shocked by the profaneness of the graffiti on the church wall

Examples of usage

The desecration of the temple symbolized the unholiness of the invaders.
The unholiness of their actions was condemned by the religious leaders.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

'Unholiness' combines the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', with 'holiness', which comes from the Old English 'halig', signifying sacredness.
The word has roots in linguistic history going back to ancient times when sacredness was often contrasted with evil or impurity.
In various religious texts, the concept of unholiness appears frequently to denote actions or thoughts contrary to divine principles.

Religious Context

In many faiths, unholiness is often associated with sin, showing how actions can distance one from the divine.
The idea of unholiness is depicted in various religious stories, often leading to consequences or a call for redemption.
Concepts of purity and unholiness vary widely across cultures, affecting social norms and moral frameworks.

Literature

Unholiness appears as a central theme in various classic literary works, illustrating the struggle between good and evil.
Dante Alighieri’s 'Inferno' vividly depicts those suffering consequences for their unholy actions in the afterlife.
In modern fantasy literature, unholiness can often be linked to the portrayal of dark magic or malevolent forces.

Psychology

Concepts of unholiness can evoke feelings of guilt and shame, affecting mental health and personal values.
Studies have shown that perceptions of unholiness can be tied to cultural upbringing and individual belief systems.
The awareness of moral choices and potential unholiness can influence decision-making processes in various contexts.

Cultural Significance

Many cultures have tales or proverbs that warn against unholy actions, reflecting societal values around good behavior.
Unholiness can be a topic of exploration in art, inspiring works that confront moral dilemmas and human flaws.
Festivals and rituals in various cultures often highlight a journey from unholiness to holiness, symbolizing personal transformation.

Translations

Translations of the word "unholiness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impiedade

🇮🇳 पवित्रता का अभाव

🇩🇪 Unheiligkeit

🇮🇩 ketidak-kudusan

🇺🇦 непоштивість

🇵🇱 bezbożność

🇯🇵 不敬

🇫🇷 impureté

🇪🇸 impiedad

🇹🇷 kutsallık

🇰🇷 부정함

🇸🇦 عدم التقديس

🇨🇿 neposvěcenost

🇸🇰 neposvätnosť

🇨🇳 不神圣

🇸🇮 nesvetečnost

🇮🇸 vanhelgi

🇰🇿 қасиетті емес

🇬🇪 უწმინდურობა

🇦🇿 müqəddəs olmayan

🇲🇽 impiedad

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,559, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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40556 grotty
40557 augmenter
40558 innocuousness
40559 unholiness
40560 budgie
40561 esoterically
40562 hellbent
...