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Ferocious vs Heinous - What's the difference?

ferocious | heinous |

As adjectives the difference between ferocious and heinous

is that ferocious is marked by extreme and violent energy while heinous is totally reprehensible.

ferocious

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Marked by extreme and violent energy.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=October 1 , author=Tom Fordyce , title=Rugby World Cup 2011: England 16-12 Scotland , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Scotland needed a victory by eight points to have a realistic chance of progressing to the knock-out stages, and for long periods of a ferocious contest looked as if they might pull it off.}}
  • Extreme or intense.
  • Synonyms

    * fierce

    Derived terms

    * ferociously

    heinous

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Totally reprehensible.
  • I hope they catch the person responsible for that heinous crime.
    The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice.
    The government denounced the attack as the most heinous of the last decade.
    Political Leaders from around the world have condemned these heinous acts.
    In our public services sorry seems to be the most heinous word.

    Usage notes

    * Nouns to which "heinous" is often applied: crime, act, sin, murder, offence.

    Synonyms

    * (totally reprehensible) abominable, horrible, odious