HEINOUS Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

heinous

adjective

Definition of heinous

as in horrific

very bad or evil; deserving of hate or contempt These murders were especially heinous. the heinous brutality of the attack

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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 New York summers are heinous and oppressive; there was a week where the temperature remained above 94 degrees. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 25 July 2026 In a statement, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle pointed out how two juries recommended Andres be sentenced to death — and two judges imposed the ultimate punishment — for the heinous crime. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026 Hawley listed criminals convicted of heinous crimes and questioned her judgment for recommending clemency. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026 Victims of these heinous crimes deserve the state’s complete protection, care, and legal safeguards. — Yoni Anijar, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for heinous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heinous

Adjective

And because Kennerly has captured moments both triumphant and horrific, a warning, some of these pictures are graphic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
The offseason has been horrific at UNC — will the football improve?

— Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrific

Adjective

Fatima Hayward of Blue Finch Films called Zevenbergen a genuine new voice in genre filmmaking, saying his blend of body horror and campy Nickelodeon-style nostalgia has resulted in a gruesome yet heartfelt ode to cinema.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
The ensuing encounter, probably the most gruesome cinematic dental scene since Marathon Man, will scare you into scheduling a deep cleaning post-haste.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

Wildlife officials had found that many of these poisons worked their way through the food chain, sickening and killing owls, raptors, coyotes and mountain lions.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
More importantly, the China business, long a stalwart, started a sickening double-digit decline.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of sickening

Adjective

As men, women and children flooded across the border between Morocco and Spain, into the autonomous city of Ceuta at the end of July, European populists and anti-immigrant politicians capitalized on the shocking images of human desperation.

— Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
The number was so shocking that the company became a symbol of industrial power and financial concentration.

— Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of shocking

Adjective

As horrible news stories go, few could compare with what happened on a Greek holiday island Monday.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ terrible, horrible, no good, very bad reelection campaign just got worse after Wednesday night’s debate in Sherman Oaks.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

The animation is truly ugly, the characters moving at the framerate of a PowerPoint and looking less like the animals they’re supposed to be than weird hybrid troll creatures.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
The wrong paint color, outdated furniture, and yes, even an ugly light fixture could be aging your home and (ugh) majorly cramping its style.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of ugly

Browse Nearby Words

heinies

heinous

heinousness

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“Heinous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heinous. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of heinous

adjective

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