VICIOUSLY Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

viciously

adverb

as in hatefully

in a mean or spiteful manner the administrator viciously denied me the time off that I needed to attend my dear aunt's funeral

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 viciously She was being pursued viciously by the paparazzi, and here was somebody who was literally chased to death by the paparazzi. —

Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026 The pieces are all in place for a viciously enjoyable midnight action romp, which the film most certainly is when the bloodshed first begins. —

Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026 PlayMonster Spoons in a Case What better way to spend time together as a family or with loved ones on Easter than viciously snatching utensils from one another in a heated game of 'Spoons'? —

Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026 The dynasts began to jostle, publicly and viciously, for power. —

Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026 Women who took the stand described being viciously attacked after they had been isolated, often after they had been drugged with date rape drugs and other sedatives. —

Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026 An arm of the IRGC, the Basij are paramilitary volunteers notorious among Iranians for taking the lead in viciously attacking protesters in the streets. —

Kay Armin Serjoie, Time, 1 Mar. 2026 Pitbull ownership was banned in Independence from 2006 to 2023 after a man named Alan Hill was viciously attacked by several pit bulls. —

Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2026 Last summer, 23-year-old Iryna was riding home on the train when a deranged monster, who had been arrested over a dozen times and was released through no cash bail, stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body. —

February 25, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for viciously

Adverb

This may have been maliciously organized by the Department of Homeland Security to drive home a point.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
The legislation from Attorney General Brenna Bird also raises the penalties for threatening judges or their families and maliciously sharing their personal information.

— Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 25 Feb. 2026