heinous acts

USAGE SUMMARY

'heinous acts' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a particularly offensive or evil deed or action. For example: The terrorist group was accused of committing heinous acts against innocent civilians.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They're clearly heinous acts".

The New York Times

Grisly stuff, but the production mercifully stops short of suggesting the heinous acts themselves.

Independent

Instead, defense lawyers work to humanize people charged with heinous acts.

The New York Times

Arnaud, he says, was a "serial sex offender," the author of "heinous" acts.

The New Yorker

"They and no one else must be held fully accountable for these heinous acts".

The New York Times

Is this the result of ice-crazed women rampaging our streets committing heinous acts?

The Guardian - Opinion

As a Muslim, I am shamed by the heinous acts of those who claim to share my religious beliefs.

The New York Times

Chinese officials have said the security forces exercised sufficient restraint and that Tibetans perpetrated the most heinous acts of violence.

The New York Times

The idea of negotiating with a regime they consider responsible for heinous acts of terror is abhorrent to them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If it is proved that the Tsarnaev brothers committed these heinous acts, as a Muslim-American, I condemn their actions.

The New York Times

He proclaimed his own guilt for crimes against humanity and openly planned to continue these heinous acts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing criminal behavior or events, using "heinous acts" can effectively convey the severity and moral reprehensibility of the actions. Ensure that the context supports such strong language.

Common error

Avoid using "heinous acts" to describe minor misdeeds or mistakes. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving severe moral or legal violations, as overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heinous acts" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. "Heinous" serves to intensify the nature of the "acts", denoting extreme wickedness or offensiveness, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heinous acts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, designed to convey strong moral condemnation of shockingly evil actions. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to emphasize the severity of transgressions. While versatile, it's crucial to reserve this phrase for truly reprehensible situations to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "vile acts" or "abhorrent acts" offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments. Remember to avoid overuse and maintain contextual appropriateness for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vile acts

Replaces "heinous" with "vile", emphasizing the disgusting or depraved nature of the actions.

abhorrent acts

Substitutes "heinous" with "abhorrent", highlighting the repugnant and detestable quality of the actions.

hideous acts

Uses "hideous" instead of "heinous", focusing on the shockingly ugly or dreadful character of the actions.

abominable acts

Replaces "heinous" with "abominable", emphasizing the causing of disgust and loathing.

nefarious acts

Substitutes "heinous" with "nefarious", highlighting the wickedness and villainy of the actions.

heinous deeds

Replaces "acts" with "deeds", a synonym that also refers to actions or accomplishments.

heinous offences

Substitutes "acts" with "offences", highlighting the violation of laws or moral codes.

odious acts

Uses "odious" instead of "heinous", focusing on the repulsiveness and unpleasantness of the actions.

dastardly acts

Replaces "heinous" with "dastardly", emphasizing the cowardly and treacherous nature of the actions.

atrocious acts

Substitutes "heinous" with "atrocious", highlighting the extremely wicked or brutal nature of the actions.

FAQs

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

Use "heinous acts" to describe extremely wicked or shockingly evil actions. For example, "The dictator was accused of committing "heinous acts" against his own people".

What are some alternatives to "heinous acts"?

You can use alternatives such as "vile acts", "abhorrent acts", or "nefarious acts" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "heinous acts" in formal writing?

Yes, "heinous acts" is appropriate for formal writing when describing severe moral or legal transgressions. Its use is well-supported by reputable sources in news and encyclopedias.

What distinguishes "heinous acts" from "criminal acts"?

"Criminal acts" is a broader term encompassing any action that violates the law. "Heinous acts" specifically refers to criminal actions that are shockingly evil or wicked, suggesting a higher degree of moral reprehensibility.