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
Relevance
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for viciousness
Noun
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Jon Worrell, 58, was arrested on charges including malice murder and felony murder in the death of his wife Doris Worrell, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
21 May 2025 -
Cornell faces charges of voyeurism with malice, second-degree stalking and breach of peace.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2025
Noun
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On Tuesday, May 20, the Orange County District Attorney's Office confirmed in a press release that Alejandro Acosta Oliveros was charged with felony animal cruelty and felony theft of a companion animal.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
21 May 2025
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Today, the Trump Administration’s theatre of cruelty toward immigrants can be traced to any number of root causes, including racist nostalgia, economic insecurity, and far-right Christian nationalism.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
20 May 2025
Noun
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The venom also disrupts blood clotting, leading to internal bleeding and further complications.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Brunson adapts to pressure, then punishes it — like a snake that builds immunity to its predator’s venom.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Trump’s allusions to police brutality – the very thing demonstrators were protesting – only seemed to rile them and underscore what was at stake.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
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The jury has seen his brutality in the harrowing video at the InterContinental Hotel and photographs of her injuries.—
Elizabeth Geddes,
Rolling Stone,
23 May 2025
Noun
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No more tolerance of hatred, no more mercy for criminals.—
Sarah Beth Hensley,
ABC News,
28 May 2025
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Antisemitism, hatred and terrorism must be stopped, lest our civilization fall into the abyss.—
Diane Gensler,
Baltimore Sun,
26 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Viciousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/viciousness. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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