heinous act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heinous act" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a particularly wicked or atrocious action, often in a legal or moral context. Example: "The community was in shock after the heinous act that took place last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've been decried for a heinous act.

The Guardian - Books

Nobody can say who carried out this heinous act.

The Guardian - Sport

That offense predates Kasab's heinous act by many years," Mr. Modi wrote on Twitter.

The New York Times

Your resolve is the greatest rebuke to whoever committed this heinous act.

The New York Times

"A heinous act took place, and people have protested peacefully as is expected in a democracy".

The New York Times

She said that Mr. Durst was incapable of committing a heinous act.

The New York Times

They condemned the attack in Srinagar as a heinous act of terrorism.

The New York Times

"It is a heinous act to go around with a 500lb bomb in a city area.

The Guardian

This heinous act is inflicted by violent misogynist men, who the woman has trusted.

The Guardian

"We have no doubt the coward who committed this heinous act will be brought to justice.

The Guardian

He had said that the US would hold responsible those who had committed this heinous act.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heinous act" to describe actions that are not only illegal or harmful but also deeply offensive to moral principles. Reserve this phrase for situations where the severity of the act warrants a strong condemnation.

Common error

Avoid using "heinous act" to describe minor offenses or disagreements. This can diminish the impact of the phrase and make your writing seem hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heinous act" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "heinous" modifies the noun "act". It serves to describe an action that is morally reprehensible and deeply offensive. As noted by Ludwig, it is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heinous act" is a potent descriptor used to condemn morally reprehensible actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using "heinous act", ensure that the severity of the situation warrants such strong language. While effective in conveying outrage and condemnation, overuse can diminish its impact. Consider alternatives like "atrocious deed" or "wicked crime" to add nuance to your writing. Always reserve "heinous act" for situations that genuinely evoke profound moral disapproval to ensure that your message resonates with the appropriate level of gravity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

atrocious deed

This alternative replaces "act" with "deed" and "heinous" with "atrocious", emphasizing the wickedness of the action.

wicked crime

This alternative uses "wicked" to describe the act, focusing on its evil nature, and replaces "act" with the more specific term "crime".

abominable offense

This alternative employs "abominable" to highlight the repulsive nature of the offense.

despicable action

This phrase uses "despicable" to convey the contemptible nature of the action.

outrageous transgression

This alternative uses "outrageous" to indicate the shocking quality of the transgression.

appalling misdeed

This substitutes "heinous" with "appalling", conveying the shocking and dreadful nature of the misdeed.

egregious transgression

This alternative uses "egregious" to describe the act, emphasizing its remarkably bad quality.

dreadful offense

This alternative employs "dreadful" to emphasize the action inspires great fear or worry.

grievous wrong

This alternative softens the tone slightly while still emphasizing the seriousness of the "wrong".

monstrous violation

This emphasizes the extreme and unnatural quality of the violation.

FAQs

How can I use "heinous act" in a sentence?

The phrase "heinous act" is typically used to describe events that evoke a strong emotional response. For example: "The bombing was a "heinous act" of terrorism." or "Committing violence against children is a "heinous act".

What words are similar to "heinous act"?

Alternatives to "heinous act" include "atrocious deed", "wicked crime", and "abominable offense". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "heinous act" a formal or informal expression?

"Heinous act" is a relatively formal expression, suitable for news reports, legal contexts, and serious discussions. It may be too strong for casual conversation.

What makes an act qualify as a "heinous act"?

An act qualifies as a "heinous act" when it is shockingly evil, morally reprehensible, and deeply offensive. It typically involves extreme cruelty or a grave violation of human dignity. Consider if "atrocious deed" might be more appropriate.