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

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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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 On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes. — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026 The leaders of the largest tech companies of the time famously led their organizations with starchy conformity or vicious sales competition. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 The unrest has fired the starting gun on what promises to be a vicious race between the far right and far left for the presidency, with much of the center floundering in the polls. — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 Verity dwells almost entirely in the gulf between the front-facing celeb being interviewed by Alex Cooper and the vicious private thoughts of her confession. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vicious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicious

Adjective

George Bonanno, a psychologist at Columbia University, explains that many people who have intense symptoms initially—such as nightmares and flashbacks—won’t develop PTSD.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Still, the competition among jewelers is becoming more intense, not only for sports team’s commissions but also to design ever flashier pieces with intricate details.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

Onscreen, this ethnic conflict allowed Ken-san and other kimonoed gangsters to be presented as pure, sincere, patriotic heroes fighting for traditional Japanese values against savage aliens as well as local, gun-toting yakuza.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
The Indian pilot who fought off a savage attack by his copilot and helped prevent an apparent hijack of a Flydubai plane heading to Israel with more than 170 people on board is being hailed as a hero.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of savage

Adjective

Moreover, the perpetrators do not appear to have used malicious code on the fridge controllers, potentially complicating efforts to track down who carried out the cyberattack, added Aimé.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of malicious

Adjective

Atrium is also offering day hospital programs in which patients receive intensive treatment and return home at night.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Because schools would otherwise use that money to buy equipment, the proposal would most affect two-year technical schools with equipment-intensive programs like welding or automotive programs.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensive

Adjective

In response to legislation to end the cruelty once and for all, the Daily News once again trotted out its old and tired defense of this cruel, deadly and outdated industry.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
Policing cringe is the cruelest métier of the internet—the origin of harassment campaigns and platforming of contempt.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

What Baldwin is lamenting is our tendency to fall back on binaries — right and wrong, good and evil — rather than to struggle with complexity.

— David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
It's based on a Russian fairy tale called the Firebird, which is about a young prince who rescues a coterie of princesses from an evil sorcerer.

— Libby Smith, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of evil

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“Vicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicious. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of vicious

adjective

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