heinous

Word relationships

• atrocious: Atrocious emphasizes the cruelty and physical horror of an act.
• abominable: Abominable suggests something that is so bad it should be detested or avoided.

• admirable: Arousing or deserving respect and approval.
• venial: Used for sins or faults that are slight and pardonable.

Commonly confused with

• hideous: Hideous refers to physical ugliness; heinous refers to moral wickedness.

Word family

• heinousness (noun): The quality of being utterly wicked.

Collocations

• heinous crime
• heinous act
• especially heinous
• heinous offense

Example sentences

• "In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous." The famous opening narration of a TV show. (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)
• "The heinous nature of the crime demands the maximum possible sentence." A judge's remarks during sentencing.

Memory hook

Heinous sounds like 'Hang-us.' A crime so bad that people want to hang the perpetrator. Shockingly wicked.

When not to use

Do not use for minor offenses like shoplifting or speeding. It is far too dramatic.

Fun facts

• In some US states, a crime must be proven 'heinous, atrocious, or cruel' to qualify for the death penalty.
• Despite its spelling, it is pronounced 'HAY-nuss,' not 'HEE-nuss.'

Related words

malice, felony, aggravated

Explore more words

atrocity, nefarious, infamous, despicable, grotesque, perpetrate

Also appears in

• Criminology, Law Enforcement & Penal Systems → Capital & Corporal Punishment