# heinous

/ˈheɪnəs/ (US) · /hˈeɪnəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heinous
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. extremely evil

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describing an action or crime that is very wicked, shocking, and cruel.

For teachers: grossly wicked or reprehensible; used to characterize crimes or acts that provoke extreme moral outrage.

- The judge described the attack as a heinous crime that shocked the whole community.
- The international tribunal was established specifically to prosecute those responsible for the most heinous violations of human rights during the conflict.

Usage: Commonly collocates with nouns like 'crime', 'act', 'offence', or 'sin'.

Teaching tip: While this word is formal, it is frequently heard in news reports and true-crime documentaries to emphasize that a crime is not just bad, but truly shocking.

## Examples

- The judge described the murder as a heinous crime.
- The international community condemned the heinous acts of violence committed against innocent civilians during the conflict.
- Historians continue to debate how ordinary citizens could remain complicit while such heinous policies were being enacted by the state.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.