unholy
UK: ʌnˈhəʊli | US: ʌnˈhoʊli
adj. not holy; lacking sacredness or moral purity
adj. wicked or evil; morally reprehensible
adj. (informal) extreme or outrageous (e.g., "an unholy mess")
The word "unholy" combines the Old English prefix "un-" (meaning "not") with "holy," derived from Old English "hālig" (sacred, consecrated). "Holy" itself traces back to Proto-Germanic "*hailagaz," linked to health and wholeness. The negative prefix "un-" flips the meaning to denote absence of sanctity or moral corruption. Over time, "unholy" expanded to describe not just religious impurity but also extreme or shocking secular contexts.
The invaders desecrated the temple, committing unholy acts.
She was terrified by the unholy silence in the abandoned house.
Their alliance was an unholy mix of greed and deception.
(Informal) He made an unholy noise while trying to fix the pipes.
The cult practiced unholy rituals under the full moon.