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

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 vicious The fans were on their feet and roaring after UCLA center Mara threw an outlet pass reminiscent of legendary predecessor Bill Walton to Eric Dailey Jr. for a vicious one-handed dunk. —

Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2025 Viewers not familiar with Housewives might not realize that Dolores, who thus far this season has been very levelheaded, has a vicious, scrappy alter ego by the name of Patterson Dolores, after her New Jersey stomping grounds. —

Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025 Kevon Looney matched his regular season career-high with 18 points and Gary Payton II (15 points, nine rebounds) stamped the game with a vicious slam dunk with under a minute left. —

Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025 Before Peter can so much as walk through the door at ultra-selective Midtown High School, a portal opens and Doctor Strange (Robin Atkin Downes) shows up, chasing down a vicious alien symbiote. —

Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for vicious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious

Adjective

The price war, sparked by Tesla two years ago, has become so intense that BYD asked its suppliers late last year to deliver hefty price reductions of 10% for the coming year.

— Hassan Tayir, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
But that independence, and particularly the eye-opening success that EMPIRE has experienced over the past few years, has also brought scrutiny — and tests of Ghazi’s commitment, particularly during a time of intense consolidation in the music business.

— Dan Rys, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2025