heinous
Shockingly, deeply wicked
Heinous describes acts so wicked or shocking they provoke moral outrage: a heinous crime, heinous acts of violence.
The word is reserved for the most reprehensible offenses—murder, torture, atrocities.
It carries a formal, often legal tone, appearing frequently in news reports and courtroom language.
Pronounced HAY-nuss.
Evil or slang-excellent
- evilProfound moral wickedness
- immoralContrary to ethical principles
- depravedMorally corrupt, perverse
- villainousExtremely wicked or criminal
nefarious · corrupt · sinful · iniquitous · unconscionable · unforgivable · inexcusable · reprehensible
Frighteningly huge or wicked
- appallingInspiring horror or disgust
- horrifyingCausing extreme fear
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- ghastlyTerrifyingly horrible or pale
dreadful · terrible · abominable · frightful · hideous · nightmarish · harrowing · unspeakable
Arousing intense disgust
- repugnantExtremely distasteful or offensive
- revoltingCausing strong disgust
- disgustingProvoking strong revulsion
- detestableWorthy of intense dislike
repulsive · sickening · nauseating · offensive · foul · obnoxious · hateful · execrable
wicked
Evil or slang-excellent
villainous · nefarious · corrupt · sinful · iniquitous · unconscionable · unforgivable · inexcusable · reprehensible · contemptible
monstrous
Frighteningly huge or wicked
- appallingInspiring horror or disgust
- horrifyingCausing extreme fear
- shockingCausing intense surprise
ghastly · dreadful · terrible · abominable · frightful · hideous · nightmarish · harrowing · unspeakable · chilling
loathsome
Arousing intense disgust
- repugnantExtremely distasteful or offensive
- revoltingCausing strong disgust
- disgustingProvoking strong revulsion
detestable · repulsive · sickening · nauseating · offensive · foul · obnoxious · hateful · execrable · accursed
brutal
Savagely harsh or severe
ruthless · barbaric · atrocious · murderous · bloodthirsty · merciless · ferocious · sadistic · inhuman · barbarous
heinousvirtuous
Morally excellent, principled
admirable · noble · laudable · praiseworthy · righteous
heinousvenial
Forgivable, minor offense
excusable · justifiable · forgivable · pardonable · understandable
- heinous offensesGravely wicked criminal acts