a den of iniquity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a den of iniquity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a place where immoral or illegal activities take place. Example: The abandoned building on the outskirts of town was once a den of iniquity, filled with drug dealers and other criminal activities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

They saw Cincinnati as a den of iniquity.

The New York Times - Sports

JOSEF STRAU Is art a site of spiritual illumination or a den of iniquity?

The New Yorker

THE light is dim, the air pungent, but the cheerful patter of bingo numbers hardly suggests a den of iniquity.

The Economist

But rather than a den of iniquity, they instead found a bridge club frequented mainly by British retirees.

The Guardian

The White House is now the Playboy Club — a den of iniquity for the rich, the famous, and the connected.

The Guardian

When the mission was opened, a senior police officer described the area around Wood Street as "a den of iniquity".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Nor is Princeton "a den of racist iniquity or sexist degradation or class oppression," Kennedy said.

Princeton University

Even European cinema isn't immune: the Gare du Nord in Paris is rentboy central, Berlin's Friedrichstrasse a den of gritty iniquity.

The Guardian - Opinion

This election mess comes after District Council 37 has struggled over the last four years to shed its image as a den of union iniquity.

The New York Times

While some parents and educators howled that Ms. Park was leading young readers into a den of syntactic iniquity, the widely prevailing view, as the trade publication Booklist wrote in 2002, was that the books were "sassy, hilarious and insightful".

The New York Times - Arts

For many people, it's always been a bit of a puzzle as to what a nice Scottish boy like Nelson is doing in a den of rightwing iniquity like the Spectator.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a den of iniquity" when you want to evoke a strong sense of moral corruption and illicit activities. It's particularly effective in historical or dramatic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a den of iniquity" to describe minor or trivial situations. The phrase carries a strong connotation of profound immorality, so it should be reserved for appropriate scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a den of iniquity" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a descriptive modifier for a place. It vividly portrays the location as one characterized by immoral and wicked activities. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Academia

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a den of iniquity" is a powerful noun phrase used to describe a place marked by wickedness and immorality. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily found in various reputable sources. While its register leans towards the formal and literary, the phrase serves the purpose of condemning or negatively characterizing a location. Consider using similar phrases such as "a hotbed of vice" or "a cesspool of corruption" for alternative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hotbed of vice

Emphasizes the concentration and intensity of immoral behavior.

a haven of sin

Highlights the aspect of providing refuge or sanctuary for sinful activities.

a cesspool of corruption

Focuses on the degradation and decay associated with moral corruption.

a chamber of wickedness

Implies a secretive and confined space where evil deeds are carried out.

a sinkhole of depravity

Suggests a downward spiral into moral decay.

a hub of immorality

Highlights the central role the place plays in immoral activities.

a wellspring of evil

Emphasizes the source or origin of wicked behavior.

a breeding ground for crime

Focuses on the environment that fosters criminal activity.

a nest of vipers

Metaphorically describes a place filled with treacherous and malicious individuals.

a house of ill repute

A more formal and euphemistic way to describe a place known for immoral activities.

FAQs

How can I use "a den of iniquity" in a sentence?

You can use "a den of iniquity" to describe a place known for immoral or illegal activities. For example, "The old warehouse had become a "den of iniquity", where gambling and drug deals were commonplace."

What's a less dramatic way to describe a place with bad behavior?

Instead of "a den of iniquity", you could use phrases like "a place of "illicit activity"", "a hub of "illegal behavior"", or simply "a bad part of town" depending on the context.

Is "den of inequity" the same as "den of iniquity"?

No, "iniquity" refers to wickedness or sin, while "inequity" refers to unfairness. Therefore, "a den of inequity" would describe a place characterized by unfairness, whereas "a den of iniquity" describes a place characterized by wickedness.

What are some synonyms for the word "iniquity"?

Synonyms for "iniquity" include "wickedness", "sinfulness", "immorality", "evil", and "depravity". Therefore, you could replace "iniquity" in the phrase with any of these words to create a similar effect, such as "a den of wickedness".