ugly deeds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ugly deeds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to immoral or unethical actions, often in a literary or dramatic context. Example: "The story revolves around the protagonist's struggle to overcome the consequences of his ugly deeds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They transformed Britain in the 1980s, they are proud of it – fine – and they have no interest in exposing the ugly deeds committed in the process.

The Guardian - Opinion

Referring to "ugly deeds, criminal deeds," Mr. Magariaf insisted that the attacks "do not resemble any way, in any sense, the aspirations, the feelings of Libyans towards the United States and its citizens," emphasizing the role of "foreigners".

The New York Times

The film also dilutes the novel's pessimism, its smog of self-contempt and more aggressively ugly deeds and words — no one could mistake the onscreen Kepesh for a misogynist — but dilution, bowdlerization, counter-readings and heresy are legitimate strategies in the adaptation racket.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Agustín, though, gets a second act built on an ugly deed.

The New York Times

Mr. Ahmadinejad also said, "If a group recognizes an ugly behavior or ugly deed as legitimate, you must not expect other countries or other groups to give it the same recognition".

The New York Times

He no longer exactly denied the existence of gay men and women in Iran, as he once had, but now, he said, "In Iran, homosexuality is looked down upon as an ugly deed.

The New Yorker

A week later they find her drown and the paper say such a ugly deed it was.

Huffington Post

When Luis Suarez of Uruguay took the field against Germany, he was booed for the entire 90 minutes of the game for his prior ugly deed against Ghana.

Huffington Post

"Perhaps in a country, they wish to legitimize stealing...if a group recognizes an ugly behavior or ugly deed as legitimate, you must not expect other countries or other groups to give it recognition," he noted.

Huffington Post

She said: "The deed was ugly, but the victims were not".

The Guardian - Arts

Ugly in voice and deed, Helene is the underclass mother from hell, a hazard, a druggie, a villain in waiting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "ugly deeds", ensure that the context clearly establishes the immoral or unethical nature of the actions being described. Use it to add emphasis and a sense of moral condemnation.

Common error

Avoid using "ugly deeds" in informal settings or when describing minor missteps. The phrase carries a weight of seriousness and moral judgment that is best reserved for significant transgressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ugly deeds" functions as a noun phrase, where "ugly" modifies the noun "deeds". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase appears in reliable sources and describes immoral or unethical actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ugly deeds" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe immoral or unethical actions. While relatively rare in overall usage, Ludwig AI confirms it appears primarily in news and media contexts. Its purpose is to convey disapproval and condemnation, adding emphasis to the negative moral quality of the actions described. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for situations where the severity of the actions warrants such a strong condemnation, avoiding its overuse in casual or trivial contexts. Consider alternatives such as "wicked acts" or "heinous crimes" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wicked acts

Replaces "deeds" with "acts" and "ugly" with "wicked", emphasizing moral depravity.

heinous crimes

Substitutes "deeds" with "crimes" and "ugly" with "heinous", suggesting severe legal and moral transgressions.

despicable actions

Replaces "deeds" with "actions" and "ugly" with "despicable", highlighting the contemptible nature of the acts.

shameful conduct

Emphasizes the dishonorable aspect of the actions, replacing "deeds" with "conduct" and "ugly" with "shameful".

atrocious behavior

Highlights the cruelty and offensiveness of the actions, using "atrocious" instead of "ugly" and "behavior" instead of "deeds".

reprehensible acts

Focuses on the blameworthy nature of the actions, replacing "ugly" with "reprehensible" and "deeds" with "acts".

offensive misdeeds

Combines the idea of wrongdoing ("misdeeds") with the quality of being unpleasant or disagreeable ("offensive").

unspeakable acts

Emphasizes the shocking and horrific nature of the deeds, using "unspeakable" to convey their extreme negativity.

corrupt practices

Suggests systemic wrongdoing and ethical decay, focusing on the corruption inherent in the actions.

criminal activities

Replaces "deeds" with "activities" and "ugly" with "criminal", specifically highlighting actions that are illegal.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "ugly deeds"?

Alternatives to "ugly deeds" include "wicked acts", "heinous crimes", or "despicable actions", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what kind of writing is "ugly deeds" most appropriate?

"Ugly deeds" is suitable for formal writing, such as news reports or academic papers, as well as in fictional narratives when depicting serious moral transgressions.

Is it grammatically correct to use "ugly deeds" in a sentence?

Yes, "ugly deeds" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adjective modifying a noun, describing the nature of the "deeds".

What is the difference between "ugly deeds" and "bad deeds"?

"Ugly deeds" implies a higher degree of moral repulsiveness compared to "bad deeds". "Bad deeds" can encompass minor misbehavior, whereas "ugly deeds" suggests actions that are deeply immoral or unethical.