crime against humanity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crime against humanity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal and political contexts to describe acts that are considered to be severe violations of human rights and dignity, often on a large scale. Example: "The tribunal was established to prosecute those accused of committing crimes against humanity during the conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Human-rights organisations did not call attention to this crime against humanity.

The Economist

Horrific crime against humanity.

The New York Times

War is a crime against humanity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"This is a crime against humanity.

The New York Times

"There was a crime against humanity here".

The New Yorker

Is environmental destruction a crime against humanity?

The Washington Post

"Child slavery is a crime against humanity.

The Washington Post

A crime against humanity that is not.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is a crime against humanity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Every war is a crime against humanity.

The New York Times

Dictatorship is a crime against humanity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use strong and authoritative sources when discussing "crime against humanity" to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "crime against humanity" for minor offenses or isolated incidents; it diminishes the gravity of its true meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crime against humanity" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies and categorizes specific actions that constitute severe violations of human rights. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is deemed grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crime against humanity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to categorize severe violations of human rights. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various domains, including news, academia, and legal contexts. The phrase's purpose is to condemn and classify egregious actions while often calling for accountability. While the phrase is of neutral register due to its frequent use in news and academic sources, careful consideration is required to reserve it for situations that genuinely meet the criteria. Alternatives, such as "atrocity against humanity" or "human rights violation", can be considered to ensure accuracy and appropriateness. Remember that overuse dilutes the power of the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

atrocity against humanity

Replaces the word "crime" with "atrocity", emphasizing the shocking and brutal nature of the act.

egregious violation of human rights

Uses stronger adjectives to highlight the severity of the violation.

human rights violation

Offers a more general term focusing on the infringement of fundamental rights.

systematic abuse of human rights

Focuses on the organized and widespread nature of the abuse.

war crime

Specifically refers to violations of the laws of war, often overlapping with crimes against humanity.

genocide

Refers specifically to the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

heinous crime

Emphasizes the wickedness and detestability of the crime.

massacre

Highlights the indiscriminate killing of a large number of people.

inhuman act

Emphasizes the lack of humanity in the action, highlighting its cruelty.

crime against the international community

Broadens the scope to emphasize the impact on global order and norms.

FAQs

How is "crime against humanity" defined in international law?

In international law, a "crime against humanity" refers to widespread or systematic attacks directed against any civilian population, including murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, imprisonment, torture, rape, and persecution.

What are some potential alternatives to "crime against humanity"?

You can use alternatives like "atrocity against humanity", "human rights violation", or "war crime" depending on the specific context.

Is genocide considered a "crime against humanity"?

Genocide is a specific type of "crime against humanity", characterized by the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Not all crimes against humanity are genocide, but genocide always qualifies as a crime against humanity.

What is the difference between a "crime against humanity" and a war crime?

A "crime against humanity" can occur in peacetime or during a war, while a war crime specifically refers to violations of the laws of war. Some acts can be both a "crime against humanity" and a war crime, depending on the circumstances.