What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
heinous
Example
The heinous crime of murder shook the entire community. [heinous: adjective]
Example
The dictator's heinous acts against his own people were condemned by the international community. [heinous: adjective]
vile
Example
The vile criminal was sentenced to life in prison for his heinous crimes. [vile: adjective]
Example
The smell of the rotten food was so vile that it made me nauseous. [vile: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vile is more commonly used than heinous in everyday language. Vile is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while heinous is less common and typically used in more formal or legal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between heinous and vile?
Heinous is more formal than vile and is typically used in legal or news reports. Vile is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it may be considered more informal than heinous.
