vice

Definition of vicenext
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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
  • Conditions were only made worse by recent military defeats, crippling sanctions, corruption, and an unparalleled water crisis.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The improvement at Eskom, which provides 80% of the country’s power generation, comes after years of mismanagement, corruption scandals, and bailouts for ongoing debt problems.
    Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The strengths and weaknesses are always shown in a game like this.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, CMS is caused by a gene change that results in muscle weakness, which worsens with physical activity.
    Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Strawberry, who was suspended three times during his MLB career for substance abuse, later served 11 months in a Florida prison in an unrelated state case for drug possession and solicitation of prostitution.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
  • In 2019, Andrew told BBC's Newsnight that the purpose of his 2010 visit had been to tell Epstein in person that their friendship was over following Epstein's conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • That, plus the lack of talent and cap space thanks to the sins of the Deshaun Watson contract, for which general manager Andrew Berry was somehow spared, makes life difficult for whatever quarterback(s) start for the Browns in 2026.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Yet what elevates the show is its focus on gender relations and atoning for the sins of the past, adding layers of depth beyond its lurid plotting and somewhat ridiculousness.
    James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In the past, American capitalism, despite its many faults, had managed to develop a safety net that compensated a little for its exploitations.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Jones added that there are hundreds of faults in Southern California.
    Laurie Perez, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • An evil, narcoterrorist dictator has fallen, creating a path for freedom for the wonderful, highly intelligent, hard working people of Venezuela.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 3 Jan. 2026
  • The Cult of the Real Housewife docuseries also relies on cult expert Steven Hassan to better understand how Mary Cosby and Bishop Cosby could allegedly manipulate and coerce their followers into handing over their life savings to people seen as faith healers capable of delivering them from evil.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Not only because of what happened the last time Green Bay played in Chicago, as another trip there looms this week, but also because of what has happened in recent Packers playoff appearances and the chronic shortcomings plaguing special teams in Green Bay.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • When evaluating the defensive shortcomings from this past season, Schottenheimer has pointed at the lack of takeaways multiple times.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • Even aside from Trump’s own enthusiastic personal immorality and impiety, his political style — the pugnacious smear artist and demagogic braggart — was the antithesis of what evangelicals had sought before.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 23 Sep. 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 11 Jan. 2026.

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