heinous

[ hey-nuhs ]

/ ˈheɪ nəs /

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adjective

hateful; odious; abominable; totally reprehensible: a heinous offense.

Nearby words

Origin of heinous

1325–75; Middle English heynous < Middle French haineus, equivalent to haine hatred (derivative of haïr to hate < Germanic) + -eus -ous

SYNONYMS FOR heinous

wicked, infamous, flagrant, flagitious, atrocious, villainous, nefarious.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR heinous ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR heinous

admirable.

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Related forms

hei·nous·ly, adverbhei·nous·ness, nounnon·hei·nous, adjectivenon·hei·nous·ly, adverb

non·hei·nous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for heinous

“Today, we are before a heinous crime the likes of which are unprecedented in our safe country,” he said.
Abu Dhabi Treats U.S. Teacher’s Murder as Terrorist Attack|Chris Allbritton|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How was he and the brothers Bridgman found guilty, without any physical evidence tying them to this heinous crime?
For Ricky Jackson, a Just Verdict—But 39 Years Too Late|Cliff Schecter|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Israeli response to the heinous crimes committed by Palestinians often seems overkill.
Intifada 3.0: Growing Unrest and a Plot to Kill an Israeli Minister|Creede Newton|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Purists sometimes seem to think that disregarding rules about prepositions is as heinous as torturing children.
Go Ahead, End With a Preposition: Grammar Rules We All Can Live With|Nick Romeo|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She is even, it has been deemed, “annoying on Instagram,” that most contemporary of heinous crimes.
Why Does Everyone Hate Lea Michele?|Tim Teeman|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Better a lasting break than the wild hubbub that would spring up if they both remained out till the heinous hour she contemplated.
The Revellers|Louis Tracy
Pardon in the meantime would be granted for the heinous offences committed.
Ireland under the Tudors, Volume I (of II)|Richard Bagwell
It was not a heinous sin, nor would it affect his moral character.
A Final Reckoning|G. A. Henty
And in some it is brought in by some heinous sin, the sight of which they cannot bear, when conscience is but once awakened.
A Christian Directory (Volume 1 of 4)|Richard Baxter
The King summoned his brother, in order to force him to explain so heinous a crime.
The Memoirs of Madame de Montespan, Complete|Madame La Marquise De Montespan

British Dictionary definitions for heinous

heinous

/ (ˈheɪnəs, ˈhiː-) /

adjective

evil; atrocious

Derived Formsheinously, adverbheinousness, noun

Word Origin for heinous

C14: from Old French haineus, from haine hatred, from hair to hate, of Germanic origin; see hate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for heinous

heinous

adj.

late 14c., from Old French hainos "inconvenient, awkward; hateful, unpleasant; odious" (Modern French haineux), from haine "hatred," from hair "to hate," from Frankish *hatjan (cf. Old Saxon haton, Old English hatian "to hate;" see hate (v.)). Related: Heinously; heinousness.

heinous

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of heinous

Examples from the Web for heinous

heinous

adjective

Word Origin for heinous

heinous