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heinous — utterly odious or wicked; abominable

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: utterly odious or wicked; abominable

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈheɪnəs/

Example Sentences

  • The judge called the defendant's actions absolutely heinous and sentenced him to life in prison.
  • My roommate's heinous habit of eating my ice cream without asking is driving me crazy!
  • The war crimes were so heinous that they shocked even experienced journalists.

heinous

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈheɪnəs/]

utterly odious or wicked; abominable

The villain's act was truly heinous, severe and direct.
💡 Concept

The villain's act was truly heinous, severe and direct.

The judge described the murder as a heinous act of extreme cruelty. (Think: HEINOUS → EXTREMELY EVIL)
🧠 Mnemonic

The judge described the murder as a heinous act of extreme cruelty. (Think: HEINOUS → EXTREMELY EVIL)

Heinous by the highness — one wicked prince burns the village feast in ruthless spite.
🎵 Rhyme

Heinous by the highness — one wicked prince burns the village feast in ruthless spite.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈheɪnəs/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈheɪnəs/

🌳Etymology

Roothaine
Suffix--ous

Origin

From Old French 'heinous' (hateful, odious), derived from Frankish 'haimôn' meaning to treat with contempt or hate. The word entered English in the 13th century through Norman French.

Breakdown

hain- (hate, contempt) + -ous (adjective suffix meaning 'full of') = heinous (full of hate; abominable)

🎵Rhyme

famous
shameless
anus

🔗Collocations

heinous crime
heinous act
heinous murder
heinous offense
heinous violation

📝Examples

“The judge called the defendant's actions absolutely heinous and sentenced him to life in prison.”

😄 Fun example

“My roommate's heinous habit of eating my ice cream without asking is driving me crazy!”

“The war crimes were so heinous that they shocked even experienced journalists.”

😄 Fun example

“She considered pineapple on pizza to be a heinous culinary crime against humanity.”

📚Related Words

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