heinous

[hey-nuhs]

adjective

1. hateful; odious; abominable; totally reprehensible.

   a heinous offense.

   Synonyms: nefarious, villainous, atrocious, flagitious, flagrant, infamous, wicked
   Antonyms: admirable

heinous

/ ˈhiː-, ˈheɪnəs /

adjective

1. evil; atrocious

Other Word Forms

• heinously adverb
• heinousness noun
• nonheinous adjective
• nonheinously adverb
• nonheinousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heinous¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of heinous¹

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

Example Sentences

On Monday, the family’s “central council” released a statement saying it had been targeted by a campaign of intimidation and violence, which it called a heinous crime and contrary to the interests of Palestinians.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The National Police Service condemns this heinous act and commends the officers for their swift response, which prevented further harm," police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said.

Read more on BBC

"Once again, southern Lebanon has been the target of a heinous Israeli aggression against civilian installations -- without justification or pretext," Aoun said.

Read more on Barron's

"This is an unprecedented, violent, and heinous act in the history of Afghanistan and Pakistan," it added.

Read more on Barron's

But Boardman, a Biden appointee, credited Roske with ultimately stopping herself from committing a “heinous crime” and calling police to turn herself in and seek psychiatric help.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abhorrent 
• abominable 
• atrocious 
• flagrant 
• hateful 
• hideous 
• horrendous 
• infamous 
• nefarious 
• odious 
• outrageous 
• revolting 
• scandalous 
• shocking 
• unspeakable 
• vicious