Vicious

Definition

Deliberately cruel or violent.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈvɪʃəs/
• Respelling: VISH-əs

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈvɪʃəs/
• Respelling: VISH-əs

In both American and British English, "vicious" is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable. It starts with a "v" sound, followed by a short "i" as in "sit", then a "sh" sound, and ends with the unstressed "əs" (similar to the 'us' in "focus"). The pronunciation is identical in both American and British English accents.

Etymology

Derived from Middle French "vicieux", which means "depraved" or "defective", which in turn is from Latin "vitiosus", meaning "faulty" or "corrupted", from "vitium", meaning "fault" or "defect".

Derivatives

• Viciously
• Viciousness
• Overvicious
• Vicious-minded
• Vicious-circle

Synonyms

• Ferocious
• Savage
• Brutal

Antonyms

• Gentle
• Benign
• Kind

Usage

• "The dog had a vicious temperament and was known to bite without warning."
• "Gossip can spread vicious rumors that can harm someone's reputation."

Related Terms

• Malicious
• Malevolent
• Ruthless
• Nasty
• Barbaric

Detailed Definition

Adjective

• Deliberately Harmful: Having an intense and violent nature or intent to cause harm.
• Example: "The criminal had a vicious nature and showed no remorse for his actions."

• Full of Malice or Spite: Marked by spite or hostility.
• Example: "Her remarks were vicious and uncalled for."

• Severe or Extreme: Marked by severity or intensity.
• Example: "The storm was vicious, leaving destruction in its wake."