heinous

USAGE SUMMARY

'heinous' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to things that are extremely bad, outrageous, or offensive. Example Sentence: "The heinous crime shocked the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But combined with the bacon, each is a fruit/meat or savoury/sweet crime as heinous as pineapple on a gammon steak, turkey with cranberry sauce or a burger between two doughnuts.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We are united in our condemnation of this heinous act and our commitment to see that justice is served".

The Guardian

European human rights judges have upheld the right of British courts to impose "whole life" prison sentences in the most heinous cases of murder.

The Guardian

After the Bellfield case Samuels was described as "boastful" (for allowing his chamber's website to characterise him as sought-after and highly effective), as earning "hundreds of thousands of pounds" acting for "heinous criminals", and as a resident of a "large, five-bedroom, £1.4m detached house in Prestwich".

The Guardian

Storm in a cup of tea, as Ken Barrington used to say, or heinous crime against cricket?

The Guardian - Sport

The council condemned "the heinous terrorist activities of Boko Haram", including the abduction of the Chibok girls, and called for "drying up all possible sources of financing" for the group.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hamas has condemned what it described as "a heinous crime".

The Guardian

They were four individuals who formed a friendship who decided to plan and commit a heinous crime".

The Guardian

Last week, the court upheld the rights of British courts to impose whole-life prison sentences in the most heinous murder cases.

The Guardian

Perhaps he is that rare thing, a person determined to make the best of the world he has been born into, even if he discovers at the age of 36 that he had been "born" into a false world, the victim of a heinous crime.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We spend the same amount of time on that guy as on someone who's done something heinous .Money spent on evicting sex offenders cannot be spent on treating them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heinous" to describe actions that are not only bad but also shockingly evil or reprehensible. For example, "a heinous crime against humanity".

Common error

Avoid using "heinous" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. The word carries significant weight and should be reserved for truly atrocious acts.

Linguistic Context

The word "heinous" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe acts, crimes, or behaviors that are shockingly evil or reprehensible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used in written English to convey extreme negativity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heinous" is an adjective used to describe something shockingly evil or reprehensible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As shown by the examples, it is frequently used in News & Media to express strong condemnation and highlight the severity of actions. While "heinous" is commonly used, it's important to reserve it for truly atrocious acts to avoid diluting its impact. Related alternatives include "atrocious", "abominable", and "despicable", each with slightly different nuances. Using "heinous" correctly can effectively convey the extreme wickedness of a subject, adding significant weight to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reprehensible

Stresses the deserving of criticism or condemnation, suitable for actions that violate moral standards.

abominable

Indicates something intensely disliked or hated; shares a level of extreme negativity with "heinous".

vile

Focuses on the disgusting and morally corrupt nature, often used for actions that are deeply offensive.

atrocious

Similar in meaning, but can sometimes imply a lower level of severity or broader application beyond moral reprehensibility.

odious

Highlights the causing of hatred or repugnance, often in a more personal or emotional context.

despicable

Focuses more on the contemptible nature of the action or person, rather than the inherent evil of the act itself.

egregious

Highlights the conspicuously bad or offensive nature, often used in formal or legal contexts.

wicked

Suggests evil or morally wrong behavior, with a sense of deliberate maliciousness.

outrageous

Emphasizes the shocking and unacceptable nature of the act, sometimes focusing more on the public reaction.

flagrant

Emphasizes the blatant and scandalous nature of the act, often implying a deliberate defiance of standards.

FAQs

How is the word "heinous" typically used?

The word "heinous" is used to describe something extremely wicked, shockingly evil, or outrageously bad. It is typically applied to actions or behaviors that are deeply offensive and morally reprehensible.

What are some synonyms for "heinous"?

Some synonyms for "heinous" include "atrocious", "abominable", "despicable", "vile", and "odious". These words share a similar meaning of extreme wickedness or repulsiveness.

Is it appropriate to use "heinous" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, using "heinous" in casual conversation might sound overly dramatic or formal, as it describes extremely offensive actions. Consider using a less intense word depending on the context.

What distinguishes "heinous" from other negative adjectives?

"Heinous" specifically describes acts or behaviors that are shockingly evil or wicked, often involving extreme cruelty or disregard for human life. Other negative adjectives might describe something as merely bad or unpleasant, but "heinous" implies a much greater degree of moral reprehensibility.