vice

Definition of vicenext
1
2
3
as in prostitution
the practice of engaging in sexual activities for money a seedy section of the city where vice is rampant and very much out in the open

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun vice contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vice are crime, offense, scandal, and sin. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

When would crime be a good substitute for vice?

The meanings of crime and vice largely overlap; however, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When is it sensible to use offense instead of vice?

While in some cases nearly identical to vice, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

When could scandal be used to replace vice?

The words scandal and vice can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

In what contexts can sin take the place of vice?

In some situations, the words sin and vice are roughly equivalent. However, sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vice
Noun
  • The protests began in late December amid widespread anger over economic hardship, political repression and corruption, according to reports.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Yoon himself, as a prosecutor, helped bring down former President Park Geun-hye, who was imprisoned for corruption and abuse of power.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Together, the cases highlight weaknesses in an industry that has long struggled to balance nutritional innovation with safety.
    Jillian Deutsch, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
  • In signing Díaz and Tucker, Los Angeles addressed two areas of weakness by throwing money at the top option on the market.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Additionally, alcohol and drug use, smoking, swearing, gambling, and prostitution make appearances throughout the show.
    Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The district attorney’s office asked Lynn Martin, who was now in juvenile custody, for help in identifying clients of hers who may have been involved in underage prostitution or pornography rings.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • What damages a human being is sin.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Natan Sharanksy sat in prison in 1983 for the sin of requesting to emigrate from the Soviet Union to Israel.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In the shop, Mu Hee asks why Uncle and Aunt hate her so much despite it not being her fault.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Williams teams up with Trevor Slattery (Kingsley), an actor (and former terrorist, although that part wasn’t his fault) trying to make a comeback but who has an agenda of his own.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Like the most treacherous toadies from literature — Iago, Wormtongue, Tywin Lannister — Miller managed to shove aside rivals to latch onto his master’s ear and guide him toward more evil.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The urge to brand those of opposing views as evil and out to destroy the country are too great to resist, sadly.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Painfully aware of his shortcomings, Wallace would have been horrified by his own subsequent beatification.
    Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Hollyland says the Lyra directly addresses these shortcomings with three major technological breakthroughs that set a new benchmark for high-performance webcams at a sensible price point.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • One celebrates the beauty and moral uplift of the Sabbath; the other denounces the immorality of the godless in the fiery manner of a tent-revival preacher.
    Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
  • Advised by Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell, who sincerely believed in the Reformation, Henry started with accusations of corruption and immorality in the Church, then used intimidation and changes to the law to transfer all the wealth and land to himself.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Oct. 2025
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vice. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on vice

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!