vicious
ˈvɪʃəs
Definition Synonyms

Definition of vicious - Reverso English Dictionary

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Adjective

1.
remarksintended to harm or upset someone
  • She made a vicious comment about his appearance.
cruel malicious spiteful
2.
intensityextremely severe or fierce
  • The storm was described as vicious due to its intensity..
brutal fierce
3.
violenceextremely violent or cruel in nature
  • The vicious attack left everyone in shock.
brutal ferocious savage
4.
animalaggressive and dangerous, especially of animals
  • The vicious dog barked at everyone passing by.
brutal ferocious savage
5.
vicemorally wrong or corrupt
  • He led a vicious lifestyle filled with crime.
corrupt immoral
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Expressions with vicious

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situation where problems cause more problems
Poverty creates a vicious cycle of unemployment and crime.
speak harshly or cruelly to others
She often has a vicious tongue when she's upset.
situation where problems keep causing more problems in a cycle
They are stuck in a vicious circle of debt and stress.
habit of saying very mean or hurtful things
She is known for her vicious tongue.

Origin of vicious

Latin, vitiosus (full of faults)

Terms with vicious included in their meaning

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conflict
a vicious fight or disagreement happens
rogueadj.
animal behavior
vicious and solitary, especially of an animal

Examples of vicious in a sentence

  • The article contained vicious attacks on the politician.
  • The animal's bite was vicious, causing severe injuries.
  • The competition was vicious, with participants pushing their limits.
  • The vicious storm destroyed everything in its path.
  • His vicious behavior frightened everyone around him.
  • The vicious wolf prowled the forest edge.

View all translations of vicious

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:méchant, violent, ...
  2. German:bösartig, heftig, ...
  3. Italian:cattivo, feroce, ...
  4. Spanish:malicioso, intenso, ...
  5. Portuguese:maldoso, severo, ...
  6. Chinese:恶毒的, 猛烈的, ...
  7. Japanese:意地悪な, 激しい, ...
  8. Arabic:خَبِيث, عَنِيف, ...
  9. Hebrew:מְרוּשָׁע, עַז, ...
  10. Russian:злобный, свирепый, ...
  11. Ukrainian:злісний, лютий, ...
  12. Hindi:कटु, भीषण, ...

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