1
as in pious
showing a devotion to God and to a life of virtue
the holy monk spent many hours on his knees in prayer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sacred
set apart or worthy of veneration by association with God
the Torah contains the holy writings of Judaism
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3
as in divine
of, relating to, or being God
the Holy Trinity
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in pure
not to be violated, criticized, or tampered with
the hour every Saturday she listens to her radio program is holy and you'd better not make her miss it
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holy
Terrell said Google is also making longer-term investments in emerging clean technology such as enhanced geothermal, a new generation of small modular nuclear reactors and—what some consider the holy grail of carbon-free power—nuclear fusion.
—
Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Regardless of region, a memorable melody remains the holy grail.
—Faye Bradley, Variety, 4 July 2025
On paper, unlimited PTO sounds like the holy grail of benefits a company can offer its employees—the ability to take endless vacations and avoid burnout.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 2025
His secretary found a Facebook page where someone pretending to be him offered exorcisms and holy items for hundreds of dollars.
—Courtney King, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for holy
Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Regardless of region, a memorable melody remains the holy grail.
—Faye Bradley, Variety, 4 July 2025
On paper, unlimited PTO sounds like the holy grail of benefits a company can offer its employees—the ability to take endless vacations and avoid burnout.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 2025
His secretary found a Facebook page where someone pretending to be him offered exorcisms and holy items for hundreds of dollars.
—Courtney King, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for holy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holy
Adjective
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Jill’s teenage son Brad (George Ferrier) is just as calculating, if not nearly as savvy, pressuring his pious girlfriend Abby (Madison Wolfe) for a repeat of their prom-night hookup while pursuing other partners.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
21 July 2025
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Those healthy enough were put through a daily regimen of religious education and physical schooling intended to train them to be pious and obedient.—
Ann Foster,
JSTOR Daily,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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From navigating narrow aisles to honoring the sacred quarter-for-a-cart ritual, shopping at ALDI is a uniquely communal experience.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 July 2025
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The legislation also called for access to cultural sites, the use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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However, the price of this resurrection is horrifying: the ritual requires numerous human sacrifices, with each victim selected for specific body parts that will complete the divine vessel.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
25 July 2025
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Tory Lanez recently shared his divine wisdom with her from a jail cell.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Denise Irene Roberts, 61, of Santa Clara is accused of burning a Nativity scene and other religious displays outside Christ Church North Bay in Novato on July 12.—
Cameron Macdonald,
Mercury News,
25 July 2025
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Since its première, in 1997, the cartoon—which follows a group of profane elementary schoolers in the town of South Park, Colorado—has managed to piss off nearly every political group, pop-culture fandom, and religious denomination.—
Tyler Foggatt,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Cromlix has recently introduced a whole bath time ritual which includes having your bath drawn for you, laden with heavenly essential oils, a relaxing playlist pumped into the expansive bathrooms and LED candles softly lighting the room.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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This is the nature of heavenly bliss: to be happy with one’s lot and never look back.—
Mary Jo Bang
July 9,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Nikki Glaser, who has attended 22 Eras Tour concerts and been a devout Swiftie, introduced the singer's award.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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The mixture of the spectacular Spidey elements will wow web-slinger fans from young children to seniors and the average MCU watcher to devout comic readers and collectors.—
Scott King,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Who would speak ill about a child that has had dozens of surgeries and is so blessed to even be here with us today?—
John Lawson,
Essence,
9 July 2025
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Caliendo shared a bunch of photos from the blessed day on his Instagram account.—
Pete Grathoff
July 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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His surviving works — just over 30 in all — form a kind of visual music or poetry: reverent, revelatory.—
Jerry Saltz,
Vulture,
2 July 2025
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Elena holds her headstrong, intellectually gifted friend Lila in reverent admiration, but the girls’ paths diverge when Lila, who cannot afford to continue her education, marries an abusive man, while Elena goes to university and becomes a writer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holy. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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