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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 His goal at Stamford Bridge to seal a 2-1 victory — struck with vicious velocity from 25 yards in what was his 11th successive league appearance as a substitute — was the first eye-catching indication of his talent. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025 While Miami Gardens is a predominantly Black community, the fear of dogs and their vicious attacks persists nonetheless, and is likely an issue ongoing in other communities in South Florida and beyond. Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 My entry unfortunately quoted a particularly vicious line from a Stephen King novel. Literary Hub september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025 This pattern of disengagement creates a vicious cycle. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious
Adjective
  • Pyongyang has continued to exercise significant control over the population and severely restrict the rights and freedoms of its population, and that has only gotten more intense over the last decade.
    Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This question — which strikes at the heart of a perennial issue in American politics, frequently reignited by recurring mass shootings — sparked an intense partisan divide.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Take the quiz here … KICKED TO THE CURB – Super Bowl hero cut from 49ers roster after brutal Week 1 performance.
    , FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • While released, Horton committed another horrific crime – a brutal home invasion and rape.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Green, of Jackson Township, has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with Reid's death, according to Billhimer.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, and that Israel’s occupation and apartheid against Palestinians are unlawful.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This thrilling prequel stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa and Alyla Browne as young Furiosa, who is abducted by the savage warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) — leader of the Biker Horde — and spends the next decade in captivity plotting her revenge and escape.
    Charlotte Walsh, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • There was a time when loving someone of the wrong gender could result in harassment, arrest or a savage beating.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, which potentially accesses your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • When Tony's security company faces an attack from unknown malicious forces, the family goes on the run across Europe while figuring out who is after them, according to Paramount.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Zack recently completed five weeks of intensive training with his handler, Deputy Trisha List.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Measles, for example, was eliminated in the US in 2000 through intensive vaccination.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Because of the cruel math of throughput and utilization, over ten days, only three hundred people experienced Blur.
    Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Tamra was awful to Gretchen back then, culminating in the Naked Wasted Party, which was one of the cruelest things to ever happen on Housewives.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • When her mother leaves the room for a moment, she's accosted by a demonic entity that toys with her through funhouse-style reflections, creating this evil doppelganger of Judy.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The city has been taken over by a bunch of evil gangs and so the nerdy Scott Pilgrim and his pals, including Ramona Flowers and Lucas Lee come to the rescue.
    Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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