Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

vicious

[vish-uhs] / ˈvɪʃ əs /
ADJECTIVE
corrupt, wrong
Synonyms
STRONGEST
atrocious barbarous cruel dangerous depraved diabolical ferocious heinous infamous monstrous nefarious perverse savage vile violent wicked
WEAK
abandoned abhorrent bad base contaminated debased degenerate degraded demoralized faulty fiendish flagitious foul immoral impious impure indecent iniquitous insubordinate lewd libidinous licentious miscreant profligate putrid reprehensible reprobate rotten sinful unprincipled untamed villainous wild worthless
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm civilized gentle glorious good honorable innocent kind mild moral nice pure respectable tame virtuous
WEAK
friendly pleasant right
ADJECTIVE
nasty, hateful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brutal cruel dirty evil fierce intense malevolent malicious murderous rancorous savage spiteful venomous vindictive violent wicked
WEAK
backbiting beastly bloodthirsty cussed defamatory despiteful frightful furious horrid lousy malign mean ornery poisonous rough slanderous tough vehement
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm decent forgiving gentle good helpful kind loving mild moderate moral nice peaceful sympathetic tame thoughtful upright
WEAK
friendly pleasant right

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It means the vicious circle tightens and darkens.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Be cautious — but don’t write off rattlesnakes as vicious, the experts say.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Extremism is both the starting point and the end point of a vicious circle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

"Great civilizations outlast even the most vicious occupiers."

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

“But there is one culprit—one vicious predator—that is most to blame.”

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

Vocabulary lists containing vicious

Negative Words to Describe a Person

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Beowulf: A New Telling

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Schooled

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!