VICE Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'vice' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vice are crime , offense , scandal , and sin . While all these words mean "a transgression of law," vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts. // regarded gambling as a vice

Q: When would 'crime' be a good substitute for 'vice'?

The meanings of crime and vice largely overlap; however, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state. // the crime of murder

Q: When is it sensible to use 'offense' instead of 'vice'?

While in some cases nearly identical to vice , offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code. // at that school no offense went unpunished

Q: When could 'scandal' be used to replace 'vice'?

The words scandal and vice can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience. // a career ruined by a sex scandal

Q: In what contexts can 'sin' take the place of 'vice'?

In some situations, the words sin and vice are roughly equivalent. However, sin implies an offense against moral or religious law. // the sin of blasphemy

vice

noun

ˈvīs

Definition of vice

as in corruption

immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society that section of the city is legendary for crime and vice

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as in weakness

a defect in character curiosity in children is not a vice, but something to be encouraged

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as in prostitution

the practice of engaging in sexual activities for money a seedy section of the city where vice is rampant and very much out in the open

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun vice contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vice are crime, offense, scandal, and sin. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

When would crime be a good substitute for vice?

The meanings of crime and vice largely overlap; however, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When is it sensible to use offense instead of vice?

While in some cases nearly identical to vice, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

When could scandal be used to replace vice?

The words scandal and vice can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

In what contexts can sin take the place of vice?

In some situations, the words sin and vice are roughly equivalent. However, sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vice

Noun

The two candidates have gone head-to-head in recent weeks over support of police and plans to fight corruption in what’s sure to be one of the top races to watch this fall.

— Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2026
The alleged corruption occurred between 2019-24 while Hédouville headed the Office of Citizen Protection, the government agency charged with safeguarding human rights.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of corruption

Noun

Researchers point out that this ability could make maritime simulations more realistic while helping identify weaknesses in operational plans.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Summary Several investor rights firms are threatening class actions against into Suja Life after its stock plummeted following disappointing Q2 earnings and reduced guidance, attributed to grocery channel weakness.

— Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakness

Noun

The practical impact is not immediately clear since many who have engaged in prostitution may still be either immediately disqualified or weeded out upon further scrutiny from FBI polygraphers and security officials.

— Eric Tucker, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Combs, who is serving a 50-month prison sentence on charges relating to prostitution, has repeatedly denied having anything to do with Shakur’s murder.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of prostitution

Noun

Summaries of their sins and absurdities have now filled several books, but a sampler is instructive.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
Moro scored for Argentina from a free kick after a five meter scrum after Australia had defended stoutly with 14 men, with Harry Potter in the sin bin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

But classic Range Rovers drive like classic cars, with all their inherent faults, and the price tag can be eye-watering.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
Most faults were cleared in less than six seconds, while the hardest cases took roughly 10 to 14 seconds.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of fault

Noun

Conceived as the female counterpart to Superman and Batman, the heroine is an Amazon who fights against injustice and the forces of evil, driven by an ideal of equality and peace.

— Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
The San Francisco Ballet production, which debuted in 2024, retells the myth of Pandora, who opened the box that unleashed humanity’s evil into the world.

— Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of evil

Noun

Career Fit Is a Business Issue There is a persistent tendency in the legal profession to interpret difficulty in a role as a personal shortcoming.

— Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Some ergonomic shortcomings remain, such as the fact that its precious screen real estate can’t display Ferrari’s iconic tachometer and a GPS screen simultaneously.

— Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of shortcoming

Noun

Since the middle of the twentieth century, societies around the globe have undergone a collective revolution in standards and attitudes towards obscenity and immorality.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Independents said the worst thing about Republicans was their loyalty to Trump (10%), perceptions of corruption and self-enrichment (8%), dishonesty, hypocrisy or immorality (7%), a lack of concern for ordinary people or cruelty (6%), and ineffective and weak or unqualified leadership (5%).

— Emily Guskin, ABC News, 27 May 2026

Definition of immorality

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.

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“Vice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vice. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of vice

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Synonyms of vice

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