heinous crime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heinous crime" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It refers to a particularly savage or atrocious act that is deemed morally reprehensible. Examples: 1. The serial killer was finally arrested for his heinous crimes against innocent victims. 2. The dictator was known for committing heinous crimes against his own people. 3. The small town was shocked by the brutal murder, which was described as a heinous crime by the local police. 4. The court sentenced the defendant to life in prison for his involvement in the heinous crime of human trafficking. 5. The police were determined to catch the perpetrator of the heinous crime, no matter how long it took.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His heinous crime?

The Guardian - Sport

Rape is a heinous crime.

The New York Times

By the heinous crime of running negative ads.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

"We shall punish them for this heinous crime".

The New Yorker

He described Mr. Said's death as a "heinous crime".

The New York Times

On Jan . 23 , 2004a heinous crime rocked the city.

The Washington Post

The government denounced the killing as a "heinous" crime.

The Guardian

It's the most heinous crime in the world.

The Guardian

"This was a home invasion, a heinous crime".

The New York Times

Did he in fact commit the heinous crime?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a crime as "heinous", ensure that the severity of the act warrants such a strong term. Overusing it can dilute its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "heinous crime" for minor offenses. Reserve it for acts that are truly shocking and morally reprehensible, such as murder, torture, or large-scale corruption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heinous crime" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "heinous" modifies the noun "crime". It serves to emphasize the extreme wickedness or reprehensibility of the crime being described. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is frequently used to depict atrocious acts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heinous crime" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe an extremely wicked or morally reprehensible act. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in written English to depict acts of extreme cruelty and moral depravity. Analysis of usage patterns reveals that it is most frequently encountered in the context of News & Media. While the phrase is generally neutral, it can take on a more formal tone. The phrase serves to express strong condemnation and moral outrage, and should be reserved for offenses that are truly shocking and morally reprehensible. Related phrases include "vile crime" and "abominable crime".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vile crime

Replaces "heinous" with "vile", suggesting moral disgust.

abominable crime

Substitutes "heinous" with "abominable", emphasizing the repugnant nature of the crime.

horrific crime

Replaces "heinous" with "horrific", focusing on the terrifying aspect of the crime.

atrocious crime

Uses "atrocious" instead of "heinous", highlighting the extreme cruelty of the act.

unspeakable crime

Replaces "heinous" with "unspeakable", stressing the difficulty of describing the crime due to its severity.

despicable crime

Substitutes "heinous" with "despicable", focusing on the contemptible nature of the crime.

outrageous crime

Uses "outrageous" instead of "heinous", emphasizing the shocking and unacceptable nature of the crime.

monstrous crime

Replaces "heinous" with "monstrous", highlighting the shocking and immoral character of the crime.

dreadful crime

Replaces "heinous" with "dreadful", emphasizing the fear and distress caused by the crime.

terrible crime

Substitute "heinous" with "terrible", emphasizing how awful and serious the crime was.

FAQs

How is "heinous crime" used in a sentence?

The phrase "heinous crime" is used to describe an act of extreme wickedness. For example, "The defendant was convicted of a "heinous crime" against humanity".

What are some synonyms for "heinous crime"?

Alternatives to "heinous crime" include "vile crime", "atrocious crime", and "abominable crime", each conveying a sense of extreme wickedness.

When is it appropriate to use the term "heinous crime"?

Use "heinous crime" when referring to acts that are shockingly evil and morally reprehensible, such as genocide or torture. It's a strong term that should be reserved for truly awful acts.

What distinguishes a "heinous crime" from other serious crimes?

A "heinous crime" stands out due to its extreme wickedness and disregard for human life or dignity. While other serious crimes may involve violence or harm, a "heinous crime" evokes a sense of profound moral outrage because it is so brutal.