gruesome deed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gruesome deed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an act that is particularly horrific or violent, often in the context of crime or horror. Example: "The detective was called to the scene of a gruesome deed that left the entire community in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Though incomprehensible, his gruesome deed is not without precedent for commercial pilots.

The Economist

Angela Merkel has described the Christmas market lorry attack in Berlin that killed at least 12 on Monday evening as a gruesome deed that would be particularly repugnant if it was confirmed to have been carried out by someone who came to the country as a refugee.

The Guardian

It is also our only tiny glimpse of Frank experiencing any sort of remorse for his gruesome deed.

Huffington Post

With the gruesome deed done, animal rights advocates are now focusing their efforts on issuing condemnations against the Vietnamese government.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Owen assumes that the culprit behind the gruesome deeds is Abby's father, trying to fulfill his daughter's craving for blood.

The New York Times

Even in Russia, in which the crime pages of newspapers are often filled with gruesome deeds, the Kushchevskaya massacre resonated for its sheer brutality.

The Guardian

This they did with apparent relish, boasting about their exploits, acting out their gruesome deeds – victims despatched by machete or garrotting by wire – in elaborate detail and staging surreal fantasy interludes to symbolise their triumph over the evils of communism.

The Guardian - Film

The Accused is a role that demands the ability to transmute technique into the expression of the passionate intensity, psychological pain and pure hatred that drive the character to her gruesome deeds.

The New York Times - Arts

It was General von Stulpnagel's lot to revive one of the most gruesome deeds.

Wikipedia

Horrific attacks are often carried out in public, with the gruesome deeds captured on camera or cellphone.

Huffington Post

Interesting debate on paternalist attitude (protecting us from gruesome images), veracity of reported deed (must see to believe and/or pixelating to diminish crudeness), trophy pics (like the images of the reaction have not been telling enough)… PHILIP GOUREVITCH: I am not simply concerned with the world's image of us.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gruesome deed", ensure the context clearly establishes the act's violent or shocking nature. This phrase is most effective when the horrific details are either known or implied.

Common error

Avoid using "gruesome deed" in situations that are merely unpleasant or unfortunate, rather than genuinely horrific. This phrase carries a strong connotation and should be reserved for truly shocking events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gruesome deed" functions as a noun phrase, where "gruesome" modifies the noun "deed". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English for describing horrific or violent acts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gruesome deed" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, predominantly found in news and media contexts to describe horrific or violent acts. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to convey the shocking and appalling nature of an action. While not frequently encountered, its meaning is clear, and several alternatives, such as "horrific act" or "atrocious crime", can be used depending on the context. Using this phrase correctly involves ensuring that the situation warrants its strong connotations, avoiding overuse in mildly unpleasant situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horrific act

Replaces 'gruesome' with 'horrific' to emphasize the shocking and appalling nature of the act.

atrocious crime

Substitutes 'deed' with 'crime' to specify a violation of the law, while 'atrocious' underscores the wickedness.

heinous act

Replaces 'gruesome' with 'heinous' highlighting the reprehensible and wicked nature of the action.

appalling crime

Uses 'appalling' instead of 'gruesome' to emphasize the shocking and disturbing nature of the crime.

grisly act

Uses 'grisly' to convey the horrifying and disgusting nature of the act, focusing on the physical repulsiveness.

terrible crime

A more general alternative, using 'terrible' to describe the extremely bad or serious nature of the crime.

shocking action

Replaces both words with more neutral terms, focusing on the surprise and outrage caused by the action.

abominable act

Conveys a strong sense of disgust and revulsion, emphasizing the detestable nature of the act.

depraved act

Focuses on the moral corruption and wickedness of the act, highlighting its deviation from accepted norms.

unspeakable crime

Emphasizes the horrific nature of the crime to the point that it is beyond description or expression.

FAQs

How can I use "gruesome deed" in a sentence?

You can use "gruesome deed" to describe a particularly horrific or violent act. For example: "The detective was shocked by the details of the "gruesome deed"."

What are some alternatives to "gruesome deed"?

Alternatives include "horrific act", "atrocious crime", or "heinous act". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "gruesome deed" a formal or informal expression?

"Gruesome deed" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for news reports and factual accounts. However, it may be too strong for casual conversation.

What makes a deed "gruesome"?

A "gruesome deed" is characterized by its shocking violence, causing horror or disgust. It often involves severe injury or death.