ungodly

Ungodly is an adjective used to describe something or someone not godly, lacking piety, reverence, or alignment with religious expectations. It can refer to actions regarded as immoral, profane, or contrary to divine law, as well as to people whose lives are perceived as depraved or unworthy of religious approval. The term derives from the negating prefix un- attached to godly, with roots in Old English and widespread use in Middle English and modern English.

In religious contexts, ungodly actions are judged against a framework of sin, virtue, and obedience to God. The word often carries a moral condemnation, but it can also express the severity of a situation, as in phrases like an "ungodly hour" or an "ungodly debt," where the emphasis is on extremity or difficulty rather than divine judgment. In secular writing, ungodly is sometimes used more loosely to describe disapproved behavior or outcomes that seem unjustifiable or harsh.

Related terms include impious, irreverent, profane, and ungodliness (the noun). The connotation of ungodly varies by religious tradition, cultural context, and rhetorical intent, ranging from a mild moral critique to a forceful indictment. As a descriptor, it remains a traditional, strongly charged word in English.

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