as in horrific
very bad or evil; deserving of hate or contempt
These murders were especially heinous. the heinous brutality of the attack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in badness
the state or quality of being utterly evil
the heinousness of the Holocaust was only fully realized after the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heinous
Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Based in The Hague, the Netherlands, the ICC can step in when countries are unwilling or unable to prosecute suspects for the most heinous international crimes, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Through the use of police bodycam and dashcam footage, the documentary tells a heinous story from Central Florida.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2025
Many versions of the conspiracy theory have asserted that the government is covering up a list of powerful men who also committed heinous crimes.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heinous
Adjective
House Republicans jammed Democrats with a party-line spending plan that is especially heinous in its cuts to the District of Columbia.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Based in The Hague, the Netherlands, the ICC can step in when countries are unwilling or unable to prosecute suspects for the most heinous international crimes, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Through the use of police bodycam and dashcam footage, the documentary tells a heinous story from Central Florida.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2025
Many versions of the conspiracy theory have asserted that the government is covering up a list of powerful men who also committed heinous crimes.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heinous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heinous
Adjective
-
These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission.—
Danielle Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Of course, some eight hundred thousand did die—many in horrific ways—while the formerly enslaved were left to fend for themselves in a postwar state where apartheid was enforced by terror.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Surely Yellowstone, with its large predators and geothermal activity will deliver something gruesome.—
Wes Siler,
Outside Online,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Realizing that the price of Remmick's offer is their souls, the living make a desperate last stand that results in the gruesome deaths of everyone but Smoke and Sammie.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Scientists had initially feared this spread could represent another Ebola-like crisis — since that disease originated in animals, then jumped to humans, sickening and killing a large number of people.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The disconnect between the reality that many people are currently experiencing hunger, in part because of climate change, and this fancy dinner was sickening.—
The Dial,
The Dial,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has been fighting a multi-front war against pro-democracy fighters and ethnic armed groups after seizing power in 2021, with credible and widespread reports of atrocities against the people.—
Ross Adkin,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Who knew that combining a sweet story about an adorable penguin and one about the atrocities of a political uprising in 1976 Argentina could have such charm?—
Rosemary Rossi,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But even with Edwards’ shocking loss, this outpouring of grief and tributes — the decals, the touching video montages on national TV, the mentions in interviews — had to catch many NASCAR fans off guard.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
That’s a bit shocking for the current winner of the Best New Artist Grammy.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These were disgusting, irresponsible comments by someone who is charged with overseeing public health for hundreds of millions of people.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Do not tell the patient disgusting hospital stories about your own operations or procedures.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Skinner had a terrible time of it for much of the season.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
What is disconcerting is when campaign donors and friends & family have commuted sentences after they have been legally convicted of terrible financial crimes.—
Sanjeev Menon,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Wade has been in a horrible slump since the season started and going in to Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels is hitting .096 (5-for-52) with a homer, seven RBIs, eight walks and an on base percentage of .213.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The Braves desperately need to add a shortstop and some offensive help amid their horrible start to the season.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heinous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heinous. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share