heinous

/ˈheɪnəs/adjective

Shockingly evil or wicked.

Example sentences

“The court described the fraud against elderly victims as a heinous act.”
“Few acts are more heinous than harming a helpless child.”

Reserved for the gravest acts; applying it to small annoyances only works as deliberate exaggeration. Legal English keeps it in 'heinous crime'. Say HAY-nus.

Synonyms for heinous

wicked
monstrous
atrocious
evil
abominable

Find it in: Advanced English words.

Related words

heedlessPaying no attention to something; careless of risks or warnings.haughtyBehaving as if you are better or more important than other people; proud and scornful.harangueA long, angry, forceful speech, especially one that criticizes or lectures people.hackneyedUsed so often that it has become boring and lost its original effect.guileCleverness used to trick or deceive people.gratuitousGiven or done without payment or without being deserved; unnecessary and uncalled for.