1
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm
simple viciousness can be the only reason for spreading such vile, unfounded rumors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cruelty
disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others
the unspeakable viciousness of some dictators in the past
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of viciousness
But this candid and absorbing memoir is also a stark reminder of the corruptions of power, the uncertainties of revolution and the frequent viciousness of human nature.
—
Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Down 14 points with 30 seconds left, the viciousness of the hit seemed more about injuring than winning a game that was already settled.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
The casual viciousness of children is the centerpiece of the film, which has triggered audiences who grew up in the same era as Polinger.
—William Earl, Variety, 23 Dec. 2025
Hinkey finds both viciousness and vulnerability within Red Feather, crafting, through his fierce physicality and long, unblinking gazes, a man aware of the world steadily leaving him behind.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Here was an artist, a father, murdering someone with a viciousness that went beyond self-preservation.
—Seamus Sullivan
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
The movie’s grand centerpiece is a dinner party where Theo and Ivy go at each other with such viciousness that their guests can only stand by and watch, aghast.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Down 14 points with 30 seconds left, the viciousness of the hit seemed more about injuring than winning a game that was already settled.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
The casual viciousness of children is the centerpiece of the film, which has triggered audiences who grew up in the same era as Polinger.
—William Earl, Variety, 23 Dec. 2025
Hinkey finds both viciousness and vulnerability within Red Feather, crafting, through his fierce physicality and long, unblinking gazes, a man aware of the world steadily leaving him behind.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Here was an artist, a father, murdering someone with a viciousness that went beyond self-preservation.
—Seamus Sullivan
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
The movie’s grand centerpiece is a dinner party where Theo and Ivy go at each other with such viciousness that their guests can only stand by and watch, aghast.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for viciousness
Noun
-
All of that hope is now hitting a wall of regulatory unpredictability and malice as policy.—
Richard Hughes IV,
STAT,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Colt Gray, now 16, has been indicted on 55 felony counts, including four counts of malice murder, according to court documents.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Colin Gray, 55, pleaded not guilty on two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, 20 counts of cruelty to children and five counts of reckless conduct.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
24 Feb. 2026
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Set to shoot in Kentucky in April, the film is based on the viral true story of Jeff Callaway and the rescue dog Ethan, whose miraculous survival inspired the world and led to meaningful changes to animal cruelty laws in Kentucky.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Toxins in many animal venoms, for example, are peptides.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Treasury secretary blasts 'venom' from left after deadly Mar-a-Lago incident.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The doctors in Iran and abroad said the level of brutality and militarization of health facilities was unprecedented in a country that for decades has experienced crackdowns on dissent and surveillance of public institutions.—
Sarah El Deeb,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The brutality of the murder, the sophistication of the planning and the fact that it was carried out by a group of teens from loving, mostly well-off families drew widespread attention to the case.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
White people hurl the N-word at them daily, accompanied by varying degrees of hatred, disgust and violence.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
One on antisemitism and hatred and bigotry, and on that, that’s a black and white issue.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Viciousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/viciousness. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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