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 Lack of sleep then exacerbates pain, creating a vicious cycle. —

Brittany Risher, SELF, 8 Jan. 2025 Stanley, accused of stealing a pair of shoes, gets sentenced to a discipline camp where he’s required to dig a perfect six-foot hole every day at the mysterious demands of a vicious warden. —

Brian Welk, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2025 That's what's happened in House of the Dragon season 2's vicious civil war, the Dance of the Dragons. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024 The 2024 adaptation of Nosferatu, the second cinematic remake of the German Expressionist classic, stars horror mainstay Skarsgård (It, Barbarian) as the vicious Count Orlok. —

Celia Mattison, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vicious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious

Adjective

The single performs even better on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, which is compiled in the same way as the Rock Digital Song Sales list, only the focus is exclusively on the more intense, harder style of the genre.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
The Chiefs tallied another three points from Butker as both defenses were noticeably intense and solid as the first quarter ended 6-3 Kansas City.

— Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025