What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
egregious
Example
The company's treatment of its employees was egregious and unethical. [egregious: adjective]
Example
The politician's lies were so egregious that they caused public outrage. [egregious: adjective]
heinous
Example
The serial killer committed heinous crimes against innocent victims. [heinous: adjective]
Example
The dictator's heinous actions towards his own people were condemned by the international community. [heinous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Heinous is less common than egregious in everyday language, but both words are used in formal writing and speech to convey a strong sense of disapproval or condemnation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between egregious and heinous?
Egregious is more commonly used in formal writing or speech, while heinous is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but may be considered more formal due to its association with legal or criminal language.
