heinous deeds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heinous deeds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions that are shockingly wicked or evil, often in a legal or moral context. Example: "The criminal was sentenced to life in prison for his heinous deeds that shocked the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They slept like babies after their heinous deeds were done.

The New York Times

"Art thou not sorry for these heinous deeds?" Lucius asks, idiotlike, after Aaron has described in savory detail the grisly murders he's arranged.

The New York Times

Of course, humans beings are not cooperating angels; they also put their heads together to do all kinds of heinous deeds.

The New York Times - Magazine

No matter what heinous deeds his characters perpetrate, they exude the sense of someone who expects to be caught out any minute.

The New York Times

That should make dictators and warlords wary everywhere, and especially in Africa, site of so many heinous deeds in recent decades.In this section History rules Al-Qaeda is down, but far from out Deathless data Light and shady ReprintsFor decades, the only head of state to be convicted by an international court was Karl Dönitz, briefly Germany's leader after Hitler's suicide.

The Economist

"We hope that governor Palin will recognise, when it is brought to her attention, that the term 'blood libel' brings back painful echoes of a very dark time in our communal history when Jews were falsely accused of committing heinous deeds," the group said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Oh heinous deed!

The Guardian - Opinion

Mosques symbolize the religion in whose name the heinous deed was done.

The New Yorker

For example, a New Yorker reader (who, by definition, must be a thoughtful, basically kind person) e-mails me, apropos my current Comment: Mosques symbolize the religion in whose name the heinous deed was done.

The New Yorker

Those who would try to tout this as a sectarian issue do an injustice to the people of Egypt in all their religions.Similarly, Fahmi Huwaydi questions whether such attacks would have occurred in a more cohesive and stable Egyptian society, in al-Shorouk, an independent daily:What is it that imbued these killers with the audacity to go forward with this most heinous deed?

The Economist

Lauren Leone Baker's Jill Mason almost too perfectly provides the Eve in Paradise catalyst for Alan's heinous deed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heinous deeds", ensure the context clearly conveys actions that are morally reprehensible and shocking in their wickedness. Consider the audience and the specific impact you want to create.

Common error

Avoid using "heinous deeds" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a strong formal and negative connotation, making it unsuitable for lighter or less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heinous deeds" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'heinous' modifies 'deeds'. This combination describes acts that are shockingly evil. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heinous deeds" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe shockingly evil actions. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it serves to emphasize the severity and moral reprehensibility of the described actions. While its formality makes it unsuitable for casual conversation, its consistent usage across reputable sources underscores its appropriateness in serious and formal writing. Related alternatives include "abominable acts" and "atrocious crimes".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abominable acts

Replaces "deeds" with "acts", maintaining a similar level of formality and negative connotation.

atrocious crimes

Substitutes "heinous" with "atrocious" and "deeds" with "crimes", emphasizing the severity and illegality of the actions.

nefarious acts

Employs "nefarious" to highlight the wickedness and immorality of the actions.

wicked deeds

Uses "wicked" as a more common and less formal synonym for "heinous".

gruesome acts

Focuses on the horrifying and shocking nature of the actions.

despicable acts

Highlights the contemptible and disgraceful nature of the actions.

horrific crimes

Emphasizes the terror and fear associated with the actions.

vile actions

Uses "vile" to express disgust and revulsion towards the actions.

loathsome actions

Highlights the intense dislike and aversion caused by the actions.

egregious offenses

Employs "egregious" to emphasize the shocking and outstanding nature of the offenses.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "heinous deeds"?

Alternatives include "abominable acts", "atrocious crimes", or "nefarious acts", each carrying a similar connotation of extreme wickedness.

How does the formality of "heinous deeds" affect its usage?

The phrase "heinous deeds" is quite formal and should be reserved for serious contexts such as legal, historical, or journalistic writing where the gravity of the actions needs to be emphasized.

Is it appropriate to use "heinous deeds" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "heinous deeds" may sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using less formal alternatives to better suit the context.

What distinguishes "heinous deeds" from other phrases describing bad actions?

"Heinous deeds" specifically implies actions that are shockingly evil and morally reprehensible. Other phrases might focus on different aspects such as illegality or harm, while "heinous deeds" is focused on the extreme moral depravity of the actions.