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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 The villains are utterly sincere and deranged, vicious and human. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025 She had been murdered in a vicious attack. Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2025 Those stiffed in this initial round are rendered unable to meet their own bills and a vicious cycle ensues. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025 In Black Phone 2, McGraw has been upgraded to the de facto lead actor, and Gwen’s foul-mouthed takedowns are even more vicious. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious
Adjective
  • The intense taste and smell can make this tonic hard to stomach.
    Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Part of what spurred intense interest, according to sources, was the success of Weapons, Zach Cregger’s summer horror hit.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Here's everything to know about the late female killer and her brutal crimes.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The grisly events in El Fasher come over two and a half years into a brutal civil war that has claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Advertisement What the Supreme Court is considering At issue before the Supreme Court is whether the federal statute barring gun ownership for unlawful drug users is similar enough to other historical restrictions on firearm possession.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Having been taken to Coonabarabran Police Station, Valette was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent and affray, which is fighting or the threat of unlawful violence which makes another person fear for their life, per the NSW Police news release.
    Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The warm, relatable territory where the first season ends up doesn’t fully square with the savage satire promised by the pilot.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
  • August Strindberg’s savage chamber drama gets transported to Ireland in Liv Ullmann’s sharp, surprisingly suspenseful adaptation.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Police believe the act was done with malicious intent.
    Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Gómez took the 5-day trip to Mexico City as a brief respite before starting intensive training to care for Noah at his home in New York City.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
  • And the side hustle is time-intensive.
    Megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In Pahani’s 2006 award-winning comedy Offside, about the cruel cultural chains binding Iranian women, a group of young women attempt to gain entry to a stadium to watch a World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Japan.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
  • There is no reason to be cruel to people.
    Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But being evil aliens wasn't always on the cards.
    Grace Dean, Space.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Even the woman Larry falls for, Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), isn't immune to the animal's evil charms, and the creature nearly chokes the life out of her in one scene.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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