heinous

hei-nous · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Utterly odious or wicked; extremely evil or cruel.

  2. 2.

    Shockingly bad or offensive; abominable.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    heinous crime — a particularly terrible or wicked criminal act
  • •
    heinous act — an extremely evil or offensive action

Related words

Antonyms: admirable, noble, praiseworthy, virtuous
See also: abominable, atrocious, vile, wicked
Synonyms: abominable, atrocious, monstrous, vile, wicked

Etymology

From Old French haineus ("hateful"), from haine ("hatred"), from hair ("to hate"), of Germanic origin. Entered English in the 14th century.