unholy

[ uhn-hoh-lee ]

adjective

, un·ho·li·er, un·ho·li·est.

1. not holy; not sacred or hallowed.
2. impious; sinful; wicked.
3. Informal. dreadful; ungodly:

   They got us out of bed at the unholy hour of three in the morning.

unholy

/ ʌnˈhəʊlɪ /

adjective

1. not holy or sacred
2. immoral or depraved
3. informal.
   outrageous or unnatural

   an unholy alliance

Derived Forms

• unˈholiness, noun

Other Words From

• un·holi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unholy¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English unhālig (cognate with Dutch onheilig, Old Norse ūheilagr ). See un- ¹, holy

Example Sentences

Dame Angela said Labour was making the asylum system "fit for purpose" after inheriting "an unholy mess" - where fewer than 1,000 cases a month were being processed.

From BBC

Using the imagery of crusades, he assailed “the late unholy war with the Indians” and the “wicked crusade against the peace of Mexico” during the 1830s.

From Salon

“The Democratic Party was predicated on what really is an unholy alliance between working-class people of colour and wealthier white progressives driven and animated by cultural issues,” Madrid said.

From BBC

Forget about the divine right of kings: The vying monarchs of “Henry 6” are forced to appeal to military might and unholy alliances.

From Los Angeles Times

Anyone capable of cogent, critical thought has abandoned that unholy alliance years ago, seeking shelter from the racism, misogyny and authoritarian policies it has embraced.

From Salon