Synonyms of vicious

vicious

adjective

ˈvi-shəs 

1

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

a vicious winter storm ripped through the region

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• intensive
• fierce
• ferocious
• terrible
• deep
• furious
• violent
• heavy
• acute
• profound
• explosive
• fearful
• dreadful
• fearsome
• ghastly
• frightful
• vehement
• blistering
• exquisite
• excruciating
• heavy-duty
• hard
• hellacious
• keen
• intensified
• harsh
• almighty
• aggravated
• severe
• concentrated
• heightened
• enhanced
• magnified
• exhaustive
• thorough
• stressed
• accentuated
• rigorous
• deepened
• emphasized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moderate
• weak
• soft
• light
• feeble
• superficial
• shallow
• qualified
• moderated
• decreased
• eased
• subdued
• toned (down)
• reduced
• diminished
• lightened
• lessened
• alleviated
• abated

2

as in brutal

having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others

she made a vicious effort to destroy the lives of the people who had wronged her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brutal
• cruel
• savage
• ruthless
• murderous
• ferocious
• merciless
• sadistic
• heartless
• barbarous
• barbaric
• inhuman
• brute
• inhumane
• atrocious
• fiendish
• truculent
• hateful
• oppressive
• harsh
• malicious
• pitiless
• wanton
• butcherly
• bloodthirsty
• red in tooth and claw
• grim
• vindictive
• spiteful
• fell
• unfeeling
• malignant
• sanguinary
• malevolent
• cutthroat
• hard-hearted
• nasty
• malign
• draconian
• sanguine
• catty
• ironhearted
• mean
• despiteful
• stonyhearted
• draconic
• heavy-handed
• hardhanded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• benign
• kind
• compassionate
• humane
• warm
• charitable
• kindhearted
• good-hearted
• merciful
• benignant
• tender
• lenient
• tenderhearted
• pitying
• peaceful
• warmhearted
• peaceable
• pacific
• clement

3

as in unlawful

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable

a truly vicious person detested by almost everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unlawful
• evil
• immoral
• sinful
• vile
• dark
• bad
• wicked
• villainous
• cruel
• infamous
• obscene
• rotten
• nefarious
• ugly
• corrupt
• wrong
• iniquitous
• offensive
• unethical
• unauthorized
• illegal
• improper
• nasty
• unsavory
• unrighteous
• cursed
• dirty
• condemned
• contemptible
• infernal
• despicable
• disreputable
• sordid
• prohibited
• naughty
• depraved
• ignoble
• pernicious
• snide
• dishonest
• sick
• atrocious
• reprehensible
• ill
• perverted
• forbidden
• mean
• degenerate
• noxious
• objectionable
• incorrect
• pestilential
• dissolute
• unhealthy
• debauched
• base
• fallen
• ungodly
• debased
• unscrupulous
• evil-minded
• scrofulous
• unwholesome
• loose
• censurable
• miserable
• blameworthy
• unprincipled
• libertine
• blamable
• unclean
• wretched
• vulgar
• unseemly
• low-minded
• indecent
• barred
• low
• execrable
• proscribed
• dishonorable
• outlawed
• discouraged
• errant
• reprobate
• indecorous
• lousy
• cussed
• unbecoming
• erring
• disallowed
• banned
• defiling
• interdicted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• virtuous
• moral
• good
• honorable
• righteous
• high
• ethical
• honest
• decent
• sublime
• right
• legitimate
• noble
• upright
• legal
• just
• scrupulous
• lofty
• elevated
• principled
• reputable
• permitted
• permissible
• authorized
• licensed
• endorsed
• sanctioned
• approved
• proper
• high-minded
• correct
• decent
• clean
• supported
• promoted
• allowed
• exemplary
• white
• pure
• decorous
• perfect
• innocent
• seemly
• law-abiding
• creditable
• encouraged
• blameless
• commendable
• wholesome
• worthy
• guiltless
• inoffensive
• immaculate
• incorruptible
• abetted
• chaste
• venerable
• unobjectionable
• irreproachable
• spotless
• unerring
• uncorrupted
• respected
• esteemed
• squeaky-clean
• lily-white
• unfallen
• upstanding

4

as in savage

violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition

a vicious dog that has already bitten several people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• savage
• ferocious
• fierce
• ruthless
• merciless
• fell
• grim
• murderous
• brute
• menacing
• relentless
• murdering
• militant
• belligerent
• pugnacious
• contentious
• warlike
• combative
• bellicose
• feisty
• assaultive
• confrontational
• ravenous
• wild
• threatening
• barbaric
• in-your-face
• gladiatorial
• bestial
• pitiless
• scrappy
• bloodthirsty
• argumentative
• inhuman
• inhumane
• truculent
• quarrelsome
• bloody
• uncivilized
• disputatious
• heartless
• unrelenting
• discordant
• implacable
• sanguinary
• take-no-prisoners
• homicidal
• brawly
• bare-knuckle
• chippy
• blood-and-guts
• rapacious
• voracious
• wanton
• sanguine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• gentle
• friendly
• warm
• congenial
• tame
• benign
• amicable
• cordial
• genial
• kind
• hearty
• submissive
• compliant
• compassionate
• merciful
• unaggressive
• human
• peaceful
• amiable
• peaceable
• companionable
• warmhearted
• pacific
• comradely
• humane
• civilized
• cultured
• complaisant
• obliging

5

as in malicious

having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it

he spread vicious rumors about his ex-wife after their bitter divorce

Synonyms & Similar Words

• malicious
• cruel
• hateful
• nasty
• bad
• spiteful
• virulent
• malignant
• malevolent
• despiteful
• venomous
• bitchy
• bitter
• poisonous
• malign
• jealous
• harsh
• catty
• evil
• mean
• obnoxious
• vindictive
• hostile
• devious
• vitriolic
• unkind
• acrimonious
• contemptuous
• resentful
• rancorous
• envious
• snakelike
• derogatory
• snide
• scurvy
• scornful
• disdainful
• snotty
• baneful
• disparaging
• unloving
• opprobrious
• jaundiced
• mean-spirited
• caustic
• baleful
• unkindly
• scoundrelly
• deprecating
• inimical
• scathing
• acrid

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• benign
• loving
• benevolent
• sympathetic
• good
• kind
• warm
• compassionate
• friendly
• pleasant
• amiable
• nice
• kindly
• sweet
• gracious
• agreeable
• affable
• genial
• affectionate
• cordial
• amorous
• benignant
• unmalicious
• good-hearted
• kindhearted
• warmhearted
• humane
• tender
• noble
• magnanimous
• altruistic
• philanthropic
• humanitarian
• tenderhearted
• high-minded

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

Recent Examples of vicious

Fire experts say this leads to a vicious cycle. —Lauren Sommer, NPR, 4 May 2026

Reva Sevander/Third Sister A former Jedi youngling when the Empire came to power, Reva eventually joined the Dark Side of the Force as one of Darth Vader's vicious inquisitors. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 May 2026

The vigilante gets to Tappen and barricades the two of them in a hospital room, where a vicious brawl ensues. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026

Each of the three episodes focuses on a different personality, from vicious kingpin Klaas Bruinsma to Ecstasy-milling married couple Johan and Brenda Toet. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026

Phrases Containing vicious

• vicious circle
• vicious cycle