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Showing results for vicious. Search instead for vicio.
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.

“Yes” won’t sway any hardliners but it should convince anyone with eyes of the absurdity of trying to write a hate song, even as Y screams its vicious lyrics into the wind.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

When accompanied by a vicious cycle of falling prices and falling demand, that turns into a process known as deflation.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

If Downing was a vicious man, he suited his times.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Arda Guler came close with a vicious shot that flew just over.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

And with a vicious yank, he closed the door.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.