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unholy

unholy

20 6.3
Extremely cruel and evil, like something from hell
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈhoʊli/
translation icon : diabólico
  • The villain committed an unholy act that shocked the entire town.
  • an unholy alliance
  • an unholy scream
  • unholy terror

And she went back to crucify the unholy threesome, right.

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Examples

Synonyms

vile
vsunholy
157 5.0

Very bad and morally wrong

is more intense implying a helllike or devil inspired evil
wicked
vsunholy
149 4.6

A person or action that is very bad and cruel

adds a vivid helllike image and extra cruelty or devil quality
despicable
vsunholy
  • Offensive
95 5.7

Very bad in a way that makes people feel strong dislike and disgust

is harsher and can suggest devilish or tormenting cruelty
heinous
vsunholy
  • Formal
92 9.0

Extremely cruel and shocking

is similar but also emphasizes a helllike or devil connection
demonic
vsunholy
91 8.1

Extremely evil and cruel, as if caused by the devil

also covers extreme evil that may not seem devil inspired
sinful
vsunholy
56 3.6

Wrong according to religious or moral rules

is broader stressing vivid helllike or devilish cruelty beyond mere religious wrong
nefarious
vsunholy
  • Formal
47 8.8

Very bad and illegal, done to harm people

is broader covering evil that may be cruel without criminal intent
diabolical
vsunholy
44 8.2

Very evil and cruel, like a devil

is broader and covers extreme evil whether devil related or not
unsavory
vsunholy
  • US
29 7.2

Something people think is morally wrong or dishonest

is stronger and suggests vivid evil or devilish cruelty instead of mere disapproval
hellish
vsunholy
28 6.1

Very unpleasant and painful, like being in hell

is broader meaning severe wickedness beyond mere unpleasantness
Satanic
vsunholy
26 7.4

Connected with Satan or with evil beliefs and rituals

is broader covering severe evil beyond specific religious ties
abominable
vsunholy
24 7.2

Very bad or morally wrong so people strongly dislike it

is more extreme also implying resemblance to hellish or devilish evil
ungodly
vsunholy
21 7.2

Morally wrong because it goes against religious rules

is more vivid focusing on extreme evil resembling hell or devil
odious
vsunholy
  • Formal
20 8.2

Very unpleasant and likely to make people feel strong dislike

is stronger adding a vivid helllike cruelty beyond mere disgust
unworthy
vsunholy
  • Offensive
20 5.4

Deserves strong blame or dislike

is stronger adding extreme cruelty or hellish associations to reproach
wretched
vsunholy
  • Offensive
15 7.1

Very bad in a moral way and deserving strong blame

is more intense suggesting evil akin to hell rather than mere worthlessness
villainous
vsunholy
14 7.3

Very bad and cruel, often hurting other people

is more general also implying a cruel or devilish nature
fiendish
vsunholy
10 7.9

Being very cruel and evil and making others suffer

is more general also covering severe evil without cunning cruelty
infernal
vsunholy
  • Literature
8 8.3

Very evil and cruel, causing great pain or suffering

is the general label for extreme evil not only using hell imagery
unrighteous
vsunholy
  • Formal
5 7.6

Acting in a way that is unfair or morally wrong

is stronger implying extreme wickedness with hellish or devil connections
execrable
vsunholy
  • Formal
4 9.5

Very bad and unpleasant, causing strong dislike

is broader adding moral wickedness or hellish cruelty beyond badness
iniquitous
vsunholy
  • Formal
2 9.8

Very unfair and wrong in a way that harms people

is broader adding vivid hellish or devilish imagery to immorality
diabolic
vsunholy
1 7.8

Very evil and cruel, like the devil

is wider and applies to severe evil without devilish origin

Antonyms

1.0

Behaving in a kind and honest way

951 2.7

Connected to a god or religion and seen as special and pure

How Evil

unholy
20 6.3
diabolical
44 8.2
wicked
149 4.6
wrong
1.0
bad
1.0

Surface Forms

unholy positive

Morphology

unholy = holy (semi-transparent) = un + holy

Regular negation of 'holy', but the intensified, figurative sense 'hellish, extremely wicked' is a metaphorical extension that may not be fully inferable from components.

Etymology

Unholy also came to mean very evil or 'hellish' because people used 'not holy' for things they saw as against all goodness. So unholy is often used for extreme cruelty or very wicked deeds.