1.
violent act; atrocity; murderous act
A violent criminal act, especially murder or a vicious attack. Used in news reports and formal contexts to describe serious violent crimes.
凶行に及んだ動機は不明だ。
The motive for the violent act is unknown.
容疑者は白昼の凶行で逮捕された。
The suspect was arrested for the violent act committed in broad daylight.
二度とこのような凶行が繰り返されないよう、対策が必要だ。
Measures are needed to ensure that such a violent act is never repeated.
USAGE:
Primarily a news and legal term. Describes serious violent crimes, especially murder. Formal and dramatic in tone.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 凶行に及ぶ (to commit a violent act)
- 凶行の動機 (motive for the crime)
- 凶行現場 (crime scene)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 犯行: criminal act — more neutral, covers all types of crime
- 殺人: murder — specifically killing, while 凶行 can include non-fatal violence
- 強行: forced action — identical pronunciation but means to push through forcefully, not violent crime