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
Example Sentences
Our finances were an unholy mess. They have spent an unholy amount of money on the project.
Recent Examples on the Web In the world of audiophiles — where provenance is everything and the quest is to get as close to the sound of an album’s original recording as possible — digital is considered almost unholy. 
Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022 Dancing is considered too unholy to perform in a church or as part of worship, so, according to tradition, as long as the feet never cross each other and aren't picked too high off the ground then a shout technically never becomes a dance. Andrew Alexander, ajc, 14 Feb. 2013 Stage sets for their live shows are designed like an unholy church. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 1 Sep. 2022 Not exactly the appropriate soundtrack for acting on my unholy desires. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 America had no defense against the novel threat presented by the unholy alliance between Trump and the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell. Ira Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 May 2022 The Fifth Star recalls the unholy bondage of African Americans prior to the abolishment of slavery in America. Essence, 11 Aug. 2022 Only the wind's unholy engine, its sharp shifts in all directions. Sandy Solomon, Scientific American, 20 July 2022 Hybrid environments inhospitable to workers’ needs threaten to create an unholy fusion of the worst of both worlds: presence without purpose. Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 17 June 2022 See More
Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022 Dancing is considered too unholy to perform in a church or as part of worship, so, according to tradition, as long as the feet never cross each other and aren't picked too high off the ground then a shout technically never becomes a dance. Andrew Alexander, ajc, 14 Feb. 2013 Stage sets for their live shows are designed like an unholy church. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 1 Sep. 2022 Not exactly the appropriate soundtrack for acting on my unholy desires. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 America had no defense against the novel threat presented by the unholy alliance between Trump and the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell. Ira Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 May 2022 The Fifth Star recalls the unholy bondage of African Americans prior to the abolishment of slavery in America. Essence, 11 Aug. 2022 Only the wind's unholy engine, its sharp shifts in all directions. Sandy Solomon, Scientific American, 20 July 2022 Hybrid environments inhospitable to workers’ needs threaten to create an unholy fusion of the worst of both worlds: presence without purpose. Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 17 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
unholy
adjective
un·ho·ly ˌən-ˈhō-lē
unholier; unholiest
1
: not holy : wicked
2
: ungodly sense 2
Stop that unholy racket!
unholy
adjective
1
as in abominable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- abominable
- loathsome
- odious
- vile
- ghastly
- hellish
- hideous
- disgusting
- horrid
- abhorrent
- horrible
- awful
- repugnant
- scandalous
- dreadful
- revolting
- repulsive
- hateful
- obscene
- ugly
- appalling
- sickening
- horrendous
- obnoxious
- invidious
- villainous
- offensive
- gross
- noisome
- bilious
- nauseating
- beastly
- unpleasant
- wicked
- revulsive
- gnarly
- seamy
- god-awful
- shocking
- repellent
- nauseous
- icky
- foul
- sick
- unsavory
- disagreeable
- unwelcome
- distasteful
- unlovely
- yucky
- displeasing
- rotten
- uncongenial
- unpalatable
- sour
- bad
- unpleasing
- annoying
- repellant
- bitter
- harsh
- nasty
- irritating
- aggravating
- vexing
- yukky
- wretched
- miserable
- crappy
- galling
- crummy
- lousy
- sucky
- cruddy
- crumby
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- good
- agreeable
- pleasant
- satisfying
- pleasurable
- nice
- congenial
- delicious
- grateful
- delightful
- welcome
- gratifying
- palatable
- sweet
- pleasing
- dreamy
- amiable
- friendly
- delectable
- jolly
- felicitous
- charming
- kindly
- cheery
2
as in ungodly
Synonyms & Similar Words
- ungodly
- pagan
- blasphemous
- heathen
- sacrilegious
- impious
- godless
- irreverent
- irreligious
- churchless
- paganish
- unchurched
- religionless
- unhallowed
- atheistic
- atheistical
- secular
- unconsecrated
- profanatory
- agnostic
- nonreligious
- profane
- worldly
- temporal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- religious
- holy
- pious
- godly
- reverent
- worshipful
- devout
- prayerful
- saintly
- worshipping
- worshiping
- sanctimonious
- sacred
- sainted
- spiritual
- sanctified
- sacrosanct
- consecrated
- blessed
- blest
- hallowed
- God-fearing
- devotional