unholy

comparative unholier · comparative more unholy · superlative unholiest · superlative most unholy

1. Not holy; (by extension) evil, impure, or otherwise perverted.

   The priest's unholy behaviour brought the church into disrepute.

   3 more examples

   Presently, however, this pleasing piece was interrupted. Suddenly there was a slight commotion, and a large powerful woman, whom I had noted as one of the most vigorous of the dancers, came, made mad and drunken with unholy excitement, bounding and staggering towards us, shrieking out as she came: - `I want a Black Goat, I must have a Black Goat, bring me a Black Goat!' and down she fell upon the rocky floor foaming and writhing, and shrieking for a Black Goat, about as hideous a spectacle as can well be conceived.

   1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC

   Essentially, the problem dates back to pre-privatisation, cost-driven British Rail practices which featured an unholy pact between management and unions, whereby management was able to employ fewer drivers and limited pension cost liabilities, while drivers were able to hoover up lots of lucrative Sunday overtime.

   2022 November 16, Nigel Harris, “Endless news... little context”, in RAIL, number 970, page 3

   “Florida has struck an unholy bargain with the Trump administration,” one speaker said. “People are not getting food, hygiene, or medical care. These conditions are substandard and cause irreparable harm.”

   2025 August 1, Jamie Guirola, “'Alligator Alcatraz' detainees on hunger strike for 10th day, protesting conditions”, in NBC News, archived from the original on 08 Aug 2025

   Synonyms: mishallowed, profane · Antonyms: holy, blessed, celestial, devoutful, divine, hallowed, heavenly, holy

2. Dreadful, terrible, excessive, or otherwise atrocious.

   What an unholy mess your room is in!

   1 more example

   I've been spending an unholy amount of time trying to write a novel!