Vicious Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

👿

Add to dictionary

vicious

[ˈvɪʃəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

Deliberately cruel or violent behavior.

Synonyms

brutal, cruel, ferocious, merciless, savage.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vicious	This word is often used to describe someone or something that is dangerously aggressive and intended to cause harm. The vicious dog attacked anyone who came close. He made a vicious comment that hurt her deeply.
cruel	Cruel is used to describe someone who takes pleasure in causing pain or suffering, and can be applied both to physical and emotional contexts. It was cruel of him to tease the child like that. The cruel treatment of the animals sparked a public outcry.
brutal	Brutal indicates extreme physical violence or cruelty, often used when talking about attacks, murders, or harsh conditions. The brutal attack left him in the hospital for weeks. It was a brutal winter that tested everyone's endurance.
savage	Savage is used to describe something as wild, uncontrolled, and violent. It often portrays primitive or raw aggression. The savage beast tore through the jungle. They faced savage opposition from their rivals.
ferocious	This word describes wild and violent behavior, often associated with wild animals or intense aggression. The lion gave a ferocious roar before attacking. She had a ferocious determination to win.
merciless	Used to describe actions or people that show no compassion or pity for others. It often has a negative connotation. The dictator was merciless in suppressing dissent. The merciless heat of the desert made survival difficult.

Examples of usage

She was the victim of a vicious attack.
The dog had a vicious temperament.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

comment

Spoken or written in a way that is intended to hurt someone's feelings.

Synonyms

hurtful, malicious, nasty, spiteful, vindictive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vicious	Used to describe something or someone that is violently aggressive and dangerous, often causing harm or suffering. The dog became vicious and attacked the intruder The mob unleashed a vicious attack on the protesters
malicious	Describes behavior or intent that is meant to cause harm, damage, or suffering to someone on purpose. He spread malicious rumors about his former colleague The hacker carried out a malicious attack on the company's website
hurtful	Used when describing comments or actions that cause emotional pain or distress to someone. Her hurtful words left him in tears The feedback was unnecessarily hurtful and demoralized the team
nasty	Used to describe something or someone that is unpleasant, rude, or offensive. It often carries a slightly less intense connotation compared to 'vicious'. She made a nasty remark about his appearance The weather turned nasty, with heavy rain and strong winds
spiteful	Describes behavior or actions meant to deliberately hurt or harm someone, often out of a desire for revenge or bitterness. He made a spiteful comment just to upset her The spiteful actions of the competitor were aimed at ruining the company's reputation
vindictive	Used to describe someone who has a strong desire for revenge and acts in a way to get back at others. Her vindictive nature made her hold grudges for years The leader's vindictive policies were designed to punish his opponents

Examples of usage

He made some vicious remarks about her appearance.
The article contained a number of vicious personal attacks.

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

circle

Having the nature or quality of a demon.

Synonyms

demonic, diabolical, evil, malevolent, sinister.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vicious	Describing something or someone that is aggressively mean or violent. The dog gave him a vicious bite. She spoke with a vicious tone.
evil	A general term for morally wrong or wicked actions or characteristics. He committed an evil act. Many consider him to be an evil person.
demonic	Referring to behavior or qualities that seem inspired by evil spirits or the devil. He had a demonic look in his eyes. The film depicted demonic possession.
sinister	Used to describe something that suggests a sense of danger or that something bad will happen. There was a sinister shadow in the alley. Her smile had a sinister quality.
diabolical	Used for something extremely wicked or cruel, often implying cunning or planning. The villain's plan was diabolical. She came up with a diabolical scheme to cheat.
malevolent	Describing someone who wishes to do harm or has harmful intentions. His malevolent glare unsettled everyone. Stories often feature malevolent spirits.

Examples of usage

The novel features a vicious villain.
The witch cast a vicious spell on the kingdom.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

The term 'vicious' has been popularized through media, such as the British crime drama 'Vicious' starring Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi.
Many movies portray 'vicious' characters as the villain, enhancing the dramatic tension, like in horror films.

Psychology

The concept of 'viciousness' can describe behaviors seen in those with antisocial personality disorders, showing a lack of empathy.
Psychological studies suggest that environments filled with aggression can breed more 'vicious' behaviors in individuals.

Literature

In literature, 'vicious' characters often symbolize moral corruption, as seen in classic works like Shakespeare's 'Richard III'.
The theme of 'vicious cycles' appears in countless novels, reflecting the struggles of characters trapped in negativity.

Science

In biology, the term can describe predatory animals whose behavior is aggressive and threatening to prey.
Vicious cycles in ecology refer to feedback loops that reinforce harmful environmental changes, like pollution.

Origin of 'vicious'

Main points about word origin

The word originates from Middle English 'vicious' meaning 'wicked, immoral', influenced by Latin 'vitiosus', meaning 'faulty'.
This root relates to the earlier Latin 'vitium', which means 'vice' or 'flaw', indicating something bad or harmful.

The word 'vicious' originated from the Latin word 'viciousus', which meant 'full of vice or defects'. Over time, the meaning evolved to describe behavior that is intentionally harmful or cruel. The term has been used in English since the late 14th century, reflecting the enduring human fascination with concepts of good and evil.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,938 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
7935 lymph
7936 instructors
7937 infer
7938 vicious
7939 veil
7940 penal
7941 fantastic
...