despicable crime

USAGE SUMMARY

"despicable crime" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a crime that is considered shockingly immoral or disgusting. For example, "Robbing a charity is a despicable crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

We condemn this cowardly and despicable crime.

Independent

Kaitlin Durkosh, an Uber spokeswoman, told the newspaper that the incident had been a "despicable crime".

Independent

Guess who is being chosen for punishment for this despicable crime?

The Guardian

And who else to blame but Mannan for what was a truly despicable crime?

The Guardian - Opinion

As an example, it mentioned statements by Mr. Bush, who called the incident a despicable crime on national television.

The New York Times

He called the decision "an assault on law enforcement's efforts to punish these heinous felons for the most despicable crime".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "These are despicable crimes that devastate lives and communities.

Independent

He added, with long breaks to maintain his composure, "I've committed despicable crimes".

The New York Times

We have things to learn from everyone, even those who have committed the most despicable crimes.

The Washington Post

But there was abundant evidence that he had committed despicable crimes long before that date.

The New York Times

It would help us get some closure on these despicable crimes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despicable crime", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reasons for the crime's reprehensibility to maximize its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "despicable crime" in overly casual or trivial situations. Its strong connotation is best reserved for truly heinous acts to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despicable crime" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a direct object or a subject complement. It serves to categorize a specific action as morally reprehensible. Examples provided by Ludwig illustrate this function in various news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despicable crime" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe actions that are morally reprehensible and evoke strong disapproval. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in formal and neutral registers, predominantly appearing in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While alternatives like "heinous offense" or "atrocious act" exist, "despicable crime" effectively conveys a sense of outrage and condemnation. When employing this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its forceful connotation to maintain impact and avoid overuse in trivial situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heinous offense

Focuses on the outrageous and shocking nature of the wrongdoing.

atrocious act

Emphasizes the cruelty and wickedness of the deed.

abominable violation

Highlights the disgust and revulsion associated with the transgression.

reprehensible conduct

Shifts focus to the blameworthy and censurable nature of the behavior.

outrageous transgression

Underscores the exceeding of acceptable bounds and norms.

shameful deed

Highlights the disgrace and dishonor brought about by the action.

disgraceful felony

Emphasizes the loss of respect and honor due to the criminal act.

unspeakable abomination

Points to the horrifying nature, suggesting it is too awful to articulate.

wicked transgression

Emphasizes the immoral and evil nature of the act.

horrendous misdeed

Stresses the terrible and dreadful quality of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "despicable crime" in a sentence?

You can use "despicable crime" to describe an action that is considered shockingly evil or wrong. For example, "The judge condemned the act as a "despicable crime" against humanity".

What are some alternatives to "despicable crime"?

Alternatives include "heinous offense", "atrocious act", or "abominable violation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a crime "despicable"?

A "despicable crime" is one that evokes strong feelings of disgust and moral outrage, often due to its cruelty, maliciousness, or violation of fundamental human values.

Is it appropriate to use "despicable crime" in formal writing?

Yes, "despicable crime" is appropriate for formal writing when accurately describing a crime that warrants such strong condemnation. Ensure the context supports the use of such a forceful term.