vile being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vile being" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person or entity that is considered morally reprehensible or disgusting. Example: "In the story, the protagonist confronts a vile being that has terrorized the village for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There are indeed many such scenes, the most vile being the sex murders in the first book.

The New Yorker

And while sometimes they are unremittingly vile – being played by Robert Culp, Jack Cassidy or Patrick McGoohan is usually a bad sign – it also means that we have sympathy for the murderers who are facing a blackmailer (Johnny Cash, Swan Song, season 3), or losing their marbles (Janet Leigh, Forgotten Lady, season 5).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But then the script (by Chris Matheson) decides to focus on the Antichrist (Craig Robinson), a vile being who sets his sights on having sex with Lindsey and lets everyone know it in numbingly vulgar language.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Like is like, vile is vile.

The New York Times

Something vile is gradually coming to light.

The Guardian - Books

The wooing of newspaper proprietors, however vile, is normal politics.

The Economist

Vile was long overshadowed by his business neighbour Thomas Chippendale.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Vile," is how Alice Miles described the movie in The Times.

The Guardian - Film

But … imprisoning someone for their beliefs, however vile, is a violation of basic Western freedoms.

The New York Times

Today, music-making software like GarageBand has revolutionized home recording, but Mr. Vile is uninterested in such techniques.

The New York Times - Arts

But as his concerns about the tour indicated, Mr. Vile is, in his own unkempt way, an exacting tinkerer.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in fiction, use "vile being" to create a strong negative impression and evoke feelings of disgust or moral outrage in the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "vile being" as a lazy shorthand for evil without providing nuanced character development or exploring the motivations behind their actions. This can lead to flat, unconvincing portrayals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vile being" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. The adjective "vile" modifies the noun "being", attributing a quality of repulsiveness or moral wickedness. Ludwig confirms that this is grammatically correct and is supported by examples in news and media.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vile being" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone or something morally reprehensible or disgusting. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not frequently used, its context is primarily found in news and media. Alternatives include "despicable creature" or "repulsive entity". When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential for overuse and ensure that it contributes to a nuanced and compelling portrayal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despicable creature

Replaces "vile" with "despicable", emphasizing the contemptible nature of the being.

repulsive entity

Substitutes "vile" with "repulsive", highlighting the disgusting quality of the entity.

wicked character

Replaces "vile" with "wicked" and "being" with "character", focusing on moral corruption.

abhorrent individual

Uses "abhorrent" instead of "vile", emphasizing the loathsome nature of the individual.

loathsome figure

Replaces "vile" with "loathsome", stressing the feeling of disgust the figure evokes.

detestable person

Uses "detestable" to describe the person, indicating they are intensely disliked.

offensive presence

Shifts focus to the being's presence being offensive, rather than their inherent nature.

contemptible wretch

Emphasizes the feeling of contempt with the use of "contemptible" and "wretch."

morally bankrupt soul

Highlights the moral corruption, describing the "being" as having a bankrupt soul.

degraded specimen

Uses "degraded" to show a state of lowered moral character and "specimen" for dehumanization.

FAQs

How can I describe a character that is evil and disgusting?

You can use the phrase "vile being". Other alternatives include "despicable creature", "repulsive entity", or "wicked character".

What is the difference between "vile being" and "evil being"?

"Vile being" emphasizes the repulsive and disgusting nature of the character, while "evil being" focuses more on their moral corruption and wickedness. Both describe negative characters, but "vile being" evokes a stronger sense of disgust.

Can "vile being" be used to describe something other than a person?

Yes, while it is most often used to describe a person or creature, "vile being" can be used metaphorically to describe something that is morally reprehensible or disgusting. For example, you could describe a corrupt political system as a "vile being".

Is "vile being" a common phrase?

According to Ludwig, "vile being" is a relatively rare phrase. There are many alternatives, such as "despicable creature" or "repulsive entity", that are more frequently used.