abhorrent acts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abhorrent acts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions that are considered morally repugnant or extremely offensive. Example: "The report detailed several abhorrent acts committed during the conflict, shocking the international community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"These are abhorrent acts.

The Guardian

"These abhorrent acts are unacceptable and the violence in Syria must stop," he said.

The Guardian

Of those there, I believe, the majority were spectating and certainly not involved in the abhorrent acts of violence.

The Guardian

Von Schirach guides us through the unpredictable sequences of events that can maneuver regular, flawed people into unbearable positions, leading them to abhorrent acts.

The New York Times - Books

Editors and reporters have asked whether, to avoid the appearance of taking sides, the paper bends itself into a pretzel or risks appearing callous to abhorrent acts.

The New York Times

"The United Nations condemns, in the strongest terms, all acts of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by peacekeepers or any other UN personnel and will maintain follow-up so that perpetrators of these abhorrent acts are brought to justice".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"What more abhorrent act is there, short of murder?" Newhan said he was otherwise comfortable with how the association wielded its power as gatekeeper of baseball history.

The New York Times - Sports

Calderon tweeted that the attack was "an abhorrent act of terror and barbarism" that requires "all of us to persevere in the fight against these unscrupulous criminal bands".

Independent

"This crime is an appalling one, shooting journalists going about their work is an abhorrent act of cowardice, but killing, even killing a killer, is never right".

Independent

Police in Greater Manchester are investigating the desecration of a prayer hall at a Jewish cemetery, which a senior officer described as "an abhorrent act of hate".

The Guardian

Foreign Office officials are in close contact with the Thai authorities and have offered UK assistance in the investigation of this abhorrent act.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abhorrent acts", ensure the context clearly establishes the actions as deeply offensive or morally repugnant. Overuse can diminish its impact, so reserve it for situations where strong condemnation is warranted.

Common error

Avoid using "abhorrent acts" to describe minor annoyances or disagreements. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant moral or ethical violations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abhorrent acts" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun (acts) with a strong adjective (abhorrent) to convey intense moral disapproval. Ludwig AI examples show its use in condemning torture, violence, and other serious ethical violations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abhorrent acts" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions that are deeply offensive or morally repugnant. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is categorized as an adjective phrase + noun, it sees common usage, particularly in news media, academic writing, and formal business contexts. While alternative phrases like "atrocious acts" or "despicable deeds" exist, it's important to reserve "abhorrent acts" for scenarios where serious ethical breaches are involved to maintain its impact. Overall, while relatively frequent, using this phrase requires consideration of the specific context to ensure appropriate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repugnant actions

Replaces "abhorrent" with "repugnant", maintaining a sense of strong disgust but with a slightly different connotation.

atrocious acts

Synonymous substitution, replacing "abhorrent" with "atrocious" to emphasize cruelty and brutality.

detestable actions

Emphasizes the intense dislike and aversion associated with the actions.

despicable deeds

Substitutes both words for alternatives with a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing moral reprehensibility.

outrageous behaviors

Focuses more on the shocking and unacceptable nature of the actions.

unconscionable deeds

Underscores that the actions violate one's conscience and are shockingly unfair or unjust.

heinous offenses

Highlights the severity and wickedness of the actions, suggesting a legal or moral transgression.

reprehensible conduct

Replaces both words for alternatives with a more formal tone, emphasizing blameworthiness.

morally bankrupt behaviors

Highlights the lack of moral principles underlying the actions.

offensive behaviors

A broader term that can encompass actions that are unpleasant or cause upset, not necessarily morally wrong.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "abhorrent acts" in a sentence?

Use "abhorrent acts" to describe actions that are morally repugnant and cause extreme offense. For instance, "The report detailed several "abhorrent acts" committed during the war."

What are some alternatives to saying "abhorrent acts"?

You can use alternatives like "atrocious acts", "despicable deeds", or "repugnant actions" depending on the context.

Is "abhorrent acts" formal or informal?

"Abhorrent acts" is suitable for formal and neutral contexts where the aim is to express strong disapproval of morally offensive behavior. The usage across news media, academic papers, and formal reports confirms that.

What makes an act qualify as an "abhorrent act"?

An "abhorrent act" is one that elicits strong moral revulsion and is considered deeply offensive, unethical, or inhumane. It goes beyond mere dislike or disagreement.