VICIOUS Synonyms: 397 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

vicious

adjective

ˈvi-shəs

Definition of vicious next

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect a vicious winter storm ripped through the region

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in unlawful

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable a truly vicious person detested by almost everyone

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as in savage

violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition a vicious dog that has already bitten several people

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 On Netflix December 26, 2024 Season 3 On Netflix 2025 Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 remains determined to find the people behind the game and put an end to their vicious sport. —

Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024 Now, with Punk casting yet another stone at Rollins, that should send Rollins into a frenzy and reignite a vicious feud between Rollins and Punk that is still expected to culminate at WrestleMania 41. —

Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 On the night of November 30, 1936, thousands of London residents flocked to Sydenham Hill in the English capital’s southeast to witness a vicious, roaring blaze. —

Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Nov. 2024 It was spent with police officers, detectives and news reports talking about the vicious and senseless murder of my youngest brother by his wife. —

Kc Baker, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vicious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious

Adjective

The warm front is a sharp contrast to the close of last week when an arctic surge swept across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic with snow squalls, whiteouts and intense bursts of wind that left 20 million Americans under winter weather warnings or advisories.

Susan Miller, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
Becoming a professor requires years and years of intense study, often carried out in isolation and poverty.

Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024