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
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
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
-
In Jewish terms, our own hearts start to harden, not out of malice, but out of survival.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Prosecutors could not prove malice in the case.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Two swaggering outlaws roll into a mining town and unleash a wave of cruelty.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Erie police are working with the shelter's cruelty team to get justice for the husky pup, named Aimee after the Erie police dispatcher who took the original call.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Its deadly stinger was full of venom, much more potent and deadly than any snake.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
-
In a clip of Pole to Pole with Will Smith, obtained by LiveScience, the 57-year-old actor could be seen on a boat going down a river in Ecuador with venom expert Bryan Fry, expedition leader Carla Perez and Indigenous Waorani guides when the group notices a gigantic anaconda on the banks.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For some residents, Good’s killing reopened deep wounds in a city still reckoning with the police murder of George Floyd, which occurred just blocks away in May 2020 and sparked nationwide protests against police brutality.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Captured on video, the incident would bring national tensions over police brutality to a head, igniting months of demonstrations around the country.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When Erika desires to celebrate with other fans in the city, tensions build during the match, and Erika becomes a target for misplaced hatred when the game takes a turn for the worse.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
10 Jan. 2026
-
His loathing for totalitarianism was among the very few hatreds Reagan ever held, his biographer Edmund Morris said.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Viciousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/viciousness. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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