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

“We are also currently seeking information regarding any suspect identifiers for any person who would commit such a heinous crime against another human Being,” Allen said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

“We are also currently seeking information regarding any suspect identifiers for any person who would commit such a heinous crime against another human being.”

From Salon

The release also said the Sheriff’s Department is seeking information about “any person who would commit such a heinous crime against another human being.”

From Los Angeles Times

The attacks on the central market and a residential area were "deliberate" and "heinous", he said.

From BBC

US officials have warned for years that mass shooting can lead to copycat killings, as killers seek to become famous through their heinous crimes.

From BBC

Related Words

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