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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.

“If people can’t afford to pay for basic needs, they’re going to take on debt and then it just becomes a vicious cycle,” said Copeland.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

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

"Great civilizations outlast even the most vicious occupiers."

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

He started trading words with Brick, real vicious, but that was to be expected.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

Vocabulary lists containing vicious

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