dreadful deeds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dreadful deeds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are considered very bad or morally wrong. Example: "The novel explores the consequences of dreadful deeds committed by the protagonist in his quest for power."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In a world filled with terrifying people who spend their time committing dreadful deeds, Roose Bolton is the scariest of all.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I am the low person of dreadful deeds, and the great person of excellent deeds.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Gibbs was standing fairly close to Oxlade-Chamberlain when the dreadful deed was done, by the looks of it.

The Guardian - Sport

The referendum could not in any logical sense be linked to the dreadful deed in Yorkshire, and campaigning was rightly suspended for several days as a mark of respect, yet it was still an opportune moment to inquire: Who, from now on, will enter public service as an M.P., if public discourse is allowed to turn fractious and foul?

The New Yorker

Even though psychiatrists claimed she was not insane, the fact she had a personality disorder meant we could almost shrug off her dreadful deed by reassuring ourselves that she was not "normal".

Huffington Post

To my certain knowledge this crime is not confined to those whose love of ease, amusement and fashionable life leads them to desire immunity from the cares of children; but is practiced by those whose inmost souls revolt from the dreadful deed, and in whose hearts the maternal feeling is pure and undying.

Huffington Post

It's about a group of friends who receive the same letter, signed "Your Caretaker", asking them to do something dreadful … all because of their nefarious deed one night in the California desert.

The Guardian - Books

He plans to use the knife to kill Marlan, the leader of the New People, who fails to provide them with their usual food and consequently sets in motion a deed they all acknowledge is dreadful.

The Guardian - Books

Dreadful effort.

The New York Times

Good deeds?

The New Yorker

Deeds matter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dreadful deeds", ensure the context clearly establishes the severe moral or legal implications of the actions. It is suitable for formal writing and narratives where you want to convey a strong sense of disapproval or horror.

Common error

Avoid using "dreadful deeds" in informal or casual conversations. The phrase carries a significant weight and is best reserved for situations where the gravity of the actions warrants such strong language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful deeds" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating that it's suitable for describing actions that are morally wrong or extremely bad.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dreadful deeds" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions considered morally wrong or extremely bad. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is relatively rare in usage but carries a strong negative connotation, making it more suitable for formal writing and contexts where severe disapproval is warranted. While primarily found in News & Media and encyclopedic contexts, remember to avoid overuse in casual conversation to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heinous acts

Replaces "dreadful" with "heinous", emphasizing the shocking and reprehensible nature of the actions.

atrocious crimes

Substitutes "deeds" with "crimes" focusing on the illegal or unlawful nature of the acts and "dreadful" with "atrocious", increasing the intensity.

wicked actions

Replaces "dreadful" with "wicked", highlighting the moral depravity behind the actions and replacing "deeds" with "actions".

terrible misdeeds

Replaces "dreadful" with "terrible", softening the intensity slightly, and "deeds" with "misdeeds", focusing on wrongdoing.

evil acts

Uses "evil" in place of "dreadful", suggesting a more profound and malevolent nature to the actions.

horrific actions

Replaces "dreadful" with "horrific", emphasizing the shocking and fear-inducing nature of the actions, also replaces "deeds" with "actions".

despicable acts

Replaces "dreadful" with "despicable", highlighting the contemptible and vile nature of the actions, also replaces "deeds" with "acts".

nefarious deeds

Synonymous replacement of "dreadful" with "nefarious", which implies immorality and wickedness. The word "deeds" remains.

unspeakable crimes

Replaces "dreadful" with "unspeakable", emphasizing the horror and the inability to articulate the acts, and "deeds" with "crimes".

corrupt acts

Replaces "dreadful" with "corrupt", highlighting the decay and moral degradation of the actions, and "deeds" with "acts".

FAQs

What does "dreadful deeds" mean?

"Dreadful deeds" refers to actions that are extremely bad, shocking, or morally wrong. The phrase implies a sense of horror or strong disapproval.

How can I use "dreadful deeds" in a sentence?

You might use "dreadful deeds" when discussing historical atrocities, criminal activities, or fictional events involving severe moral transgressions. For example: "The novel explores the consequences of the "dreadful deeds" committed by the protagonist."

What can I say instead of "dreadful deeds"?

You can use alternatives like "heinous acts", "atrocious crimes", or "wicked actions" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is "dreadful deeds" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "dreadful deeds" is not as frequently used as more common alternatives like "bad actions" or "terrible acts". It is more suited to formal writing and specific contexts where a strong, negative connotation is desired.