vicious

adjective

ˈvi-shəs How to pronounce vicious (audio)
Definition of viciousnext
1
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect a vicious winter storm ripped through the region

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2
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others she made a vicious effort to destroy the lives of the people who had wronged her

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3
as in unlawful
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable a truly vicious person detested by almost everyone

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4
as in savage
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition a vicious dog that has already bitten several people

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5
as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it he spread vicious rumors about his ex-wife after their bitter divorce

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vicious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vicious are corrupt, degenerate, iniquitous, nefarious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

Where would corrupt be a reasonable alternative to vicious?

The synonyms corrupt and vicious are sometimes interchangeable, but corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

In what contexts can degenerate take the place of vicious?

The words degenerate and vicious can be used in similar contexts, but degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When could iniquitous be used to replace vicious?

While in some cases nearly identical to vicious, iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

When can nefarious be used instead of vicious?

In some situations, the words nefarious and vicious are roughly equivalent. However, nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

When is it sensible to use villainous instead of vicious?

Although the words villainous and vicious have much in common, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vicious She's also relieved when two of the series' most vicious players, Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) and Naomi (Ever Carradine), hand over Charlotte. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 27 May 2025 McDonald currently stars as Momma Rose in Gypsy and is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, an award which LuPone herself won for her portrayal of theater’s most vicious stage mother in 2008. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 May 2025 The vicious cycle of revenge is cycling on in The Last of Us. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 26 May 2025 The original 2006 film, which was adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s book of the same name, starred Meryl Streep as the powerful Miranda Priestley, Anne Hathaway as fashion newbie Andy Sachs, Emily Blunt as vicious assistant Emily and Stanley Tucci as Miranda’s right hand man Nigel. —Rachel McRady, People.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for vicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious
  1. intense
  2. brutal
  3. unlawful
  4. savage
  5. malicious
  6. intensive
  7. cruel
  8. evil
Adjective
  • And, believe it or not, Europe does have air conditioning, which can be quite an intense shift when moving between the outdoors into coach buses or stores.
    — Gregory Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025
  • Residents of Maoming, China were treated to a celestial light show earlier this week when a surprise fireball burst to life overhead, illuminating the city before disappearing in an intense flare of light.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • Here lies the brutal dilemma of change: Leaders see systems; people feel emotions.
    — Sahar Andrade, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • As the state on Thursday summed up the brutal details that made up the prosecution’s case, a relative walked out of the courtroom with a loud scream, causing Petrone to tell the jury to ignore the outburst.
    — Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Definition of brutal
Adjective
  • The man faces one count each of first-degree assault or attempted serious physical injury, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, and second-degree domestic assault.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
  • In 2022, Hemphill pleaded guilty to unlawful parading, a misdemeanor charge that got her two months in prison, three years of probation and a $500 fine.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 4 June 2025
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.
    — Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2022
  • The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2022
Definition of savage
Adjective
  • This is the threat potential given commonalities despite seemingly different developers, and those links to malicious domains.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Newark Mayor Ras Baraka filed a lawsuit against interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba on Tuesday, accusing her of malicious prosecution over his arrest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility last month.
    — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 3 June 2025
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • Russia used a Tu-160 in intensive overnight missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, Kyiv's air force said on Friday.
    — Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • University of Southern California LOS ANGELES Inspired by Walt Disney artist and Imagineer John C. Hench, USC’s intensive BFA and MFA programs teach animation from a maker’s point of view.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • The reason Evin is infamous is because of its terribly cruel high security detention centers that are poorly supervised by the Prison Chief.
    — Jeff Kaufman, Time, 30 May 2025
  • But then perhaps that is her unsatisfying but depressingly undeniable point: there is no challenging minds this small, behaviors this cruel, spirits this mean.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 30 May 2025
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • Rakshasa’s evil beast fits thematically with the park’s nearby 1976 Demon looping coaster.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
  • Evans gives an oversized comedic performance as the church’s charming but evil minister.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 27 May 2025
Definition of evil

Phrases Containing vicious

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vicinity
vicious
vicious circle
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Cite this Entry

“Vicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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