English Dictionary

Definition of “heinous

heinous (ˈheɪnəsPronunciation for heinous;ˈhiː-) 

Definitions

adjective

  1. evil; atrocious

Alternative Forms

ˈheinously adverb ˈheinousness noun

Word Origin

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

Usage examples

  • `Are you sure that the raiders you fought were indeed the same band that committed these heinous sins?
    Kerr, Katharine, A Time of War (1993)
  • Mohanty says, more than the enemy's heinous intentions, this hints at the social regimentation behind enemy lines.
    India Today (2000)
  • The precision with which the heinous act was executed shows that trained terrorists are behind the attempt at eliminating her.
    Samachar (2004)
  • In some a judicial discretion to impose the death penalty had been conferred, reserving its imposition for the most heinous cases.
    Times, Sunday Times (2002)
  • To `go beyond "current teaching was almost as heinous as to dissent from it.
    Hebblethwaite, Peter, Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)

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