vicious

/ˈvɪʃəs/

/ˈvɪʃɪs/

Vicious is an adjective that means intentionally harmful or nasty. If you spread vicious rumors about a person, you're telling people things that will hurt her feelings or ruin her reputation. Cut it out!

If you're described as vicious, you're someone who does brutal things on purpose, out of ill-will towards others, like beating up defenseless puppies or poisoning the drinking water for a town. You're worse than just mean if you are vicious — in fact, you're evil! People (and puppies) will be wise to keep their distance. Other things, like gossip, animals, or cars from horror movies can be vicious, too.

Definitions of vicious

1. adjective

   having the nature of vice
   synonyms: evil

   wicked

   morally bad in principle or practice
2. adjective

   (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
   “vicious kicks”

   synonyms: barbarous, brutal, cruel, fell, roughshod, savage

   inhumane

   reflecting lack of pity or compassion
3. adjective

   marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful
   “vicious gossip”

   synonyms: poisonous, venomous

   malicious

   having the nature of or resulting from malice
4. adjective

   bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
   synonyms: condemnable, criminal, deplorable, reprehensible

   wrong

   contrary to conscience or morality or law