Heinous
Adjective
Definition: (of a person or wrongful act) utterly odious or wicked; abominable; hateful.
Synonyms: Atrocious, Monstrous, Abhorrent
Antonyms: Commendable, Praiseworthy, Virtuous
Examples:
- The judge sentenced the criminal to life in prison for his heinous crimes.
- The news of the heinous murder shocked the community.
Mnemonics:
- Think of the word "hate" within "heinous" to remember its meaning.
Etymology:
Origin:
The word "heinous" can be traced back to the Latin word "heinosus", meaning atrocious or hatefully bad.
Historical Usage:The word has been in use since the 14th century, retaining its original meaning of being extremely wicked or evil.
Related Idioms:
Idiom:
"Heinous crime"
Explanation:Refers to a particularly atrocious or abhorrent criminal act.
Misconceptions:
Misconception:
Confusing "heinous" with "harmless"
Explanation:"Heinous" and "harmless" have opposite meanings. "Heinous" refers to something wicked or abhorrently bad, while "harmless" means not causing harm or posing a threat.