wicked acts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wicked acts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe immoral or evil actions, often in a literary or dramatic context. Example: "The story revolves around a hero who must confront the wicked acts of a powerful villain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They help address "living wounds" that linger for decades after genocides, encouraging reconciliation, for example, by naming individuals, not whole groups, as guilty of particular wicked acts.

The Economist

She ticks off a list of wicked acts she blames on her antagonist in an ancient rivalry, the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.

The Economist

But something had happened and that was that the idealism and humanity of very young people was harnessed by social media to condemn the wicked acts of a forgotten warlord.

BBC

Love may be the most powerful magic of all, but on "Once Upon a Time," it's also the catalyst for some undeniably wicked acts.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr Justice Spencer said it was an "unspeakably wicked act".

The Guardian

Maybe it's that Gyges is successful in his plot: a wicked act not only goes unpunished, but is rewarded.

The New York Times

Sean Mercer has committed the most brutal and wicked act in killing Rhys Jones and it's right he should be punished.

The Guardian

On the way we stop to inspect a solitary bunch of flowers, its Cellophane wrapping tied to a wrought-iron railing, a withering memorial to a wicked act.

The Guardian

A native of the region, he quickly sought to separate long-festering grievances there from what he called "the wicked act of desperation by criminals" on Friday.

The New York Times

President Goodluck Jonathan, who was inspecting a guard of honour at the time, called it a "wicked act of desperation by criminals and murderers".

The Guardian

The mass hysterectomies by private clinics in Dausa is a wicked act, but such malpractice is happening in other areas as well.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wicked acts" to describe actions that are not only bad but also deliberately harmful or malicious. It's effective in literary contexts or when emphasizing the moral depravity of a character or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "wicked acts" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It's a relatively strong and formal phrase that can sound overdramatic or out of place in casual contexts. Consider more common alternatives like "bad deeds" or "wrong actions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wicked acts" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes specific instances of immoral or malevolent behavior. Ludwig confirms its usability in describing evil actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wicked acts" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes immoral or evil actions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is relatively rare, with limited examples found primarily in news and media contexts. The phrase carries a formal tone and implies a deliberate intent to cause harm. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "evil deeds" or "malevolent actions", while being mindful of overuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evil deeds

Replaces "wicked" with "evil" offering a more common synonym while maintaining the core meaning.

malevolent actions

Substitutes both "wicked" and "acts" with more formal synonyms, increasing the intensity of negativity.

atrocious crimes

Changes "acts" to "crimes" focusing on the severity and illegality of the actions.

heinous offenses

Replaces "wicked acts" with a phrase emphasizing the shocking and reprehensible nature of the actions.

despicable behaviors

Shifts the focus to the underlying behaviors, suggesting a pattern of moral deficiency.

nefarious activities

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary to describe secretive and immoral actions.

villainous deeds

Highlights the role of a villain or wrongdoer, emphasizing the intentional malice.

immoral conduct

Generalizes the phrase to describe behavior that violates moral principles.

corrupt practices

Suggests a systemic or widespread pattern of unethical behavior.

ungodly actions

Emphasizes the actions' opposition to religious or divine principles.

FAQs

How can I use "wicked acts" in a sentence?

You can use "wicked acts" to describe deliberately harmful or malicious actions. For example: "The story revolves around a hero who must confront the "wicked acts" of a powerful villain."

What are some synonyms for "wicked acts"?

Alternatives to "wicked acts" include "evil deeds", "malevolent actions", or "atrocious crimes", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is "wicked acts" a formal or informal phrase?

"Wicked acts" is a relatively formal phrase, more suitable for literary or dramatic contexts than casual conversation. Consider using less intense alternatives in informal settings.

What's the difference between "wicked acts" and "bad deeds"?

"Wicked acts" implies a deliberate intent to harm or cause suffering, whereas "bad deeds" can refer to any actions that are morally wrong, regardless of intent.