Vicious – Definition, Meaning and Synonyms

Definition of Vicious (adjective)

Vicious is an adjective to describe something or someone who is extremely cruel, violent, or aggressive. It often suggests malice or a willingness to cause harm, either physically or emotionally.

Examples

• The vicious dog attacked anyone who approached.
• Her vicious words left him devastated.
• He gave a vicious look, filled with anger.
• The vicious cycle of poverty trapped many families.
• The vicious fight broke out over a minor argument.
• His vicious temper made him difficult to work with.
• The vicious criminals were apprehended after the robbery.
• A vicious rumour about her spread quickly in town.

Meaning

• Cruel
• Violent
• Aggressive
• Malicious
• Brutal
• Savage
• Ruthless
• Nasty
• Dangerous
• Heartless

Pronunciation

• UK: /ˈvɪʃəs/ (VISH-uhs)
• US: /ˈvɪʃəs/ (VISH-uhs)

Synonyms

• Cruel
• Brutal
• Malicious
• Savage
• Ruthless
• Violent
• Aggressive
• Nasty
• Heartless
• Ferocious

Usage Tips for Vicious

• Used to describe extreme cruelty or aggression.
• It often implies intentional harm or malice.
• It can refer to both physical and verbal violence.
• Best used when describing actions or behaviours that show no remorse.
• Avoid using it for minor disagreements or actions.

Origin

Vicious (14th century):

It is derived from the Latin vitiosus, which means faulty or corrupt.

Similar Words to Vicious

• Savage
• Brutal
• Violent
• Heartless
• Malicious
• Ruthless
• Cruel
• Aggressive
• Ferocious
• Nasty

FAQs

Q: What is the meaning of vicious in Urdu?

Ans: In Urdu, vicious means ظالم or سفاک.

Q: How do we use vicious in a sentence?

Ans: The vicious attack left the victim severely injured, causing widespread fear in the neighbourhood.

Q: What’s the difference between vicious and brutal?

Ans: Vicious often highlights malice or evil intent, while brutal focuses on raw or harsh violence.

Related Words:

Abandon	Baffle	Callous
Abhor	Ban	Chaotic
Abysmal	Barbaric	Cheap
Aggressive	Betray	Chide
Agony	Bitter	Complicate
Alienate	Blame	Condemn
Anguish	Blight	Confuse
Annoy	Boring	Corrupt
Anxious	Brash	Cruel
Arrogant	Brutal	Cynical
Damage	Egotistical	Fail
Danger	Embarrass	Fake
Deceive	Enrage	Fallacy
Defeat	Envy	Fatal
Defiant	Erratic	Fear
Depress	Evade	Feeble
Deride	Exclude	Feud
Despair	Exhaust	Flaw
Destroy	Exploit	Foolish
Disgust	Extort	Frustrate
Garrulous	Haphazard	Ignorant
Gaudy	Harass	Illogical
Glutton	Harm	Immature
Grieve	Harsh	Impair
Grudge	Hate	Impede
Gullible	Heinous	Impolite
Grimy	Horrible	Inane
Grievous	Hostile	Incite
Grim	Humiliate	Incompetent
Grotesque	Hypocritical	Infuriate
Jealous	Kill	Lame
Jittery	Knavish	Languish
Jeer	Knock	Lazy
Jaded	Kooky	Liable
Jaundiced	Kink	Lie
Jeopardize	Keen	Loathe
Jarring	Jitter	Lousy
Jinx	Judge	Ludicrous
Malice	Nasty	Obnoxious
Manipulate	Neglect	Obsessive
Meddle	Nefarious	Obsolete
Menace	Nuisance	Odious
Miserable	Numb	Offend
Mock	Nullify	Ominous
Morose	Nag	Oppress
Mourn	Nauseate	Outrage
Muddle	Niggardly	Overwhelm
Mute	Nonchalant	Ostracize
Pain	Quarrel	Rabid
Panic	Quash	Rage
Pathetic	Queasy	Rant
Peril	Quibble	Rebuff
Pessimistic	Quicksand	Reckless
Pity	Quell	Regret
Plague	Quarrelsome	Reject
Plummet	Quixotic	Repress
Prejudice	Quack	Repulse
Provoke	Quicksilver	Resent
Sabotage	Tarnish	Ugly
Sad	Tease	Unfair
Scorn	Terrify	Unkind
Slander	Threat	Untrustworthy
Sneer	Tragic	Upset
Spite	Treacherous	Useless
Stubborn	Troubled	Uproar
Subdue	Turbulent	Unyielding
Suffocate	Tyrant	Unstable
Suspicious	Tense	Uncouth
Vague	Wail	Xenophobic
Vain	Weary	Vex
Vengeful	Wicked	Whine
Vicious	Withdraw	Yell
Vindictive	Worry	Yucky
Violent	Wound	Yawn
Vile	Wrath	Zany
Volatile	Wretched	Zealot
Voracious	Wince	Zombie