vice

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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 opposition accuses Fico of eroding democratic standards, media freedom, and covering up corruption.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Trump’s proposal is part of a recent effort to strengthen relations with Argentina and longtime political ally and Argentinian President Javier Milei, a chainsaw-wielding leader known for both taming the country’s hyperinflation, but also navigating several corruption scandals.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That humility will always prevail over ego, kindness isn’t a form of weakness, and true happiness isn’t measured by what’s in your bank account or even by the empty rows of your refrigerator.
    Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • How does the relative length of our haunting reflect our collective moral strengths and weaknesses?
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Epstein pleaded guilty to two state prostitution charges, one involving a minor, and would serve only 13 months in a county jail.
    Julie K Brown, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Andrew’s ties to Epstein have dogged him for more than a decade, going all the way back at least to Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea on soliciting prostitution from someone under the age of 18.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The church must name abuse as sin and reject any misuse of Scripture that justifies endurance in violence.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
  • And my mom used to say, your sins will find you out.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Who’s ultimately at fault here?
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Incidentally, their friend Jesus’ relapse a few years ago isn’t Lee’s fault, but, as Wendell reminds him, Lee was supposed to check on him that day.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The holiday is a major event in India, particularly for followers of Hinduism and Sikhism, and is marked by candle and lamp lighting to symbolize light over darkness and good over evil.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • There are some interesting themes about religion and the existence of evil.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV is familiar enough to entice old fans, but the American automaker is adressing several of its original shortcomings.
    Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The Broncos danced on a precarious edge all day because of shortcomings almost everywhere else, some of which could pose real concerns.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Hank isn’t being accused of mere immorality, after all; he’s being accused of rape, which was also a crime back in Kierkegaard’s days.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Beyond the inherent immorality of thoughtlessly torturing and killing birds and wildlife, Death Pipes are an example of the hidden toll that people and their structures are exacting on nature.
    GrrlScientist, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 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.

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Cite this Entry

“Vice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vice. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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