Unholy: meaning, definitions and examples
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unholy
[ ʌnˈhoʊli ]
religious
Not holy; wicked; sinful; impious; as, unholy words; conduct unholy.
Synonyms
impious, profane, sinful, wicked.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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unholy |
Typically used to describe something that is morally wrong or abominable, often with a sense of being against religious principles.
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wicked |
Describes something or someone that is morally wrong, evil, or malevolent. It can be used more broadly than the others.
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sinful |
Describes actions or behaviors that are considered morally wrong or evil, especially within a religious framework.
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impious |
Used to describe a lack of reverence or respect for religious practices or deities. It has strong negative connotations.
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profane |
Often refers to something that shows a lack of respect for religious practices or sacred things. It can also mean vulgar or inappropriate.
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Examples of usage
- He was punished for his unholy actions.
- She felt guilty for her unholy thoughts.
- The unholy act shocked the community.
- The unholy alliance between the two criminal organizations was dangerous.
- The unholy war resulted in many casualties.
general
Unacceptable according to social or moral standards; contrary to what is considered sacred or pure.
Synonyms
disrespectful, improper, inappropriate, unacceptable.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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unholy |
Used in situations involving a profound lack of reverence or respect, often in a religious or moral context. This word can have strong negative connotations.
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unacceptable |
Used to describe something that is not allowed or cannot be tolerated, often implying a serious breach of standards or expectations.
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improper |
Used to describe behavior or actions that do not conform to accepted standards or rules, often in a formal or professional context.
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inappropriate |
Refers to actions or comments that are not suitable for a particular situation or context, and can also imply a breach of social norms or decency.
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disrespectful |
Applied when someone shows a lack of respect or courtesy towards others, often in personal interactions or social situations.
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Examples of usage
- The unholy mess left by the vandals was heartbreaking.
- The unholy noise coming from the construction site was unbearable.
- The unholy smell of the landfill polluted the entire area.
Translations
Translations of the word "unholy" in other languages:
🇵🇹 ímpio
🇮🇳 अपवित्र
🇩🇪 unheilig
🇮🇩 tidak suci
🇺🇦 нечестивий
🇵🇱 nieświęty
🇯🇵 不浄
🇫🇷 impie
🇪🇸 impío
🇹🇷 kutsal olmayan
🇰🇷 불경스러운
🇸🇦 غير مقدس
🇨🇿 neposvátný
🇸🇰 nesvätý
🇨🇳 不圣洁
🇸🇮 nesveteč
🇮🇸 vanheilagur
🇰🇿 қасиетсіз
🇬🇪 უპატიო
🇦🇿 müqəddəs olmayan
🇲🇽 impío
Etymology
The word 'unholy' originated in Middle English, derived from the Old English 'unhālīc'. The prefix 'un-' denotes negation, while 'hāl' means 'whole, sound, healthy'. Over time, 'unholy' evolved to encompass both religious and general contexts, reflecting actions or attributes that are sinful, impious, or socially/morally unacceptable.
See also: holily, holiness, holy, unholiness.