morally heinous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "morally heinous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, behaviors, or decisions that are considered extremely unethical or wrong. Example: "The act of exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit is morally heinous and should be condemned by society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Netanyahu described the words of the mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Hussein, as "morally heinous" and compared the remarks to those of Haj Amin al-Husseini, the grand mufti of Jerusalem who notoriously aligned himself with Hitler in the 1930s.

The New York Times

The whole thing is really dodgy and could be morally heinous but this principle is very different to causing damage.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Outside the C.I.A., many others risked their jobs and legal peril in efforts to blow the whistle on a program they found ethically, morally, and legally heinous.

The New Yorker

The Organization for Islamic Cooperation condemned the regime and said we needed, quote, "to hold the Syrian government legally and morally accountable for this heinous crime".

The New York Times

HAVING coined the phrase "the banality of evil," Hannah Arendt went on to suggest that the most heinous crimes have often been committed by morally desensitized ordinary people.

The New York Times - Arts

While we consistently insisted it was morally repugnant for any other state to follow in our footsteps, we continued to build ever deadlier versions of these intrinsically heinous weapons.

Huffington Post

Heinous optics.

The New Yorker

What they contend is that the mentally retarded should not be considered so morally culpable that they deserve the ultimate punishment, which is supposed to be reserved for the most culpable criminals who commit the most heinous crimes.

The New York Times

Morally wrong".

The New York Times

Two are most heinous.

The Economist

They're clearly heinous acts".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "morally heinous" to describe actions that violate fundamental principles of right and wrong. For example, you might describe a politician's actions as "morally heinous" if they knowingly harm their constituents for personal gain.

Common error

Avoid using "morally heinous" for minor offenses or disagreements. This phrase carries significant weight and should be reserved for truly egregious ethical violations. Overusing it dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morally heinous" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing it as extremely evil or wicked from a moral standpoint. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is used to describe actions or decisions considered to be profoundly unethical.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "morally heinous" is a powerful descriptor used to express strong disapproval of actions deemed deeply unethical. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to condemn severe moral transgressions. While grammatically correct and featured in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, it's important to reserve this phrase for contexts where the ethical violation is truly egregious to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives like "ethically reprehensible" or "morally reprehensible" can offer similar intensity while maintaining clarity. The phrase is most often found in News & Media where actions are evaluated in terms of their ethical implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally reprehensible

Synonymous replacement, maintains similar intensity and meaning.

morally abhorrent

Uses "abhorrent" to emphasize the repulsive nature of the act.

ethically reprehensible

Replaces "morally" with "ethically", focusing on a broader code of conduct.

morally repugnant

Suggests something disgusting and offensive to moral principles.

morally detestable

Uses "detestable" to indicate intense dislike and disapproval.

morally indefensible

Highlights the lack of justification for the action from a moral standpoint.

morally despicable

Indicates something worthy of contempt and disdain.

morally outrageous

Emphasizes the shocking and unacceptable nature of the act.

utterly immoral

Emphasizes the complete lack of morality in the action.

morally corrupt

Suggests a state of decay or impurity in moral principles.

FAQs

What does "morally heinous" mean?

"Morally heinous" describes something extremely evil or wicked from a moral or ethical perspective. It suggests a profound violation of what is considered right and just.

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

You can use "morally heinous" to describe actions, decisions, or behaviors that are deeply unethical. For example: "The exploitation of child labor is a "morally heinous" crime."

What are some synonyms for "morally heinous"?

Some synonyms include "ethically reprehensible", "morally reprehensible", "morally abhorrent", and "morally repugnant". These alternatives offer similar degrees of severity in expressing moral disapproval.

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

While grammatically correct, "morally heinous" is a strong phrase best reserved for serious ethical transgressions. In everyday conversation, less intense alternatives may be more appropriate depending on the context.