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Meanings of vicious in English

(Of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering.

Related terms

Bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure.

Related terms

Marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful.

Related terms

Having the nature of vice.

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Synonyms
Examples for "evil"
Examples for "evil"
1
The one evil in all is the intolerable length of the debates.
Practical Essays
2
The watch caught the eye of the cottager; that evil eye sparkled.
Ernest Maltravers — Volume 01
3
It was the meeting-place for all the evil women in the neighbourhood.
Roger Trewinion
4
Religion, unfortunately, provides a useful cover and powerful motivator for the evil-hearted.
The Guardian
5
And in the same direction lies the remedy for the tenement evil.
Revolution, and Other Essays
Usage of vicious in English
1
The idea, of course, is to change the vicious cycle in Hollywood.
Wired
2
They were indeed preparing for war, a vicious and bloods earthbound war.
Ender’s Game
3
To the account of one of the most vicious killers in Europe.
The bourne identity
4
Interests invariably fall asunder in the end; vicious natures can always agree.
Poor Relations
5
The discord experienced specifically in Gauteng has led to vicious political infighting.
The South African
6
She took another drink of ale and said, The attack was vicious.
Dead beat
7
Two years ago, a vicious form of chicken flu swept Hong Kong.
The Guardian
8
The pressure was mounting on Bill and the attacks were absolutely vicious.
A journey: my political life
9
The growth of a vicious mafia has its parallels in Western countries.
The Irish Times
10
That night, he did come to her room, and was especially vicious.
Water, stone, heart
11
They cowered in terror of evil spirits and vicious and angry gods.
A History of the Moravian Church
12
In reality, the Police under Tammany abetted crime and protected the vicious.
Theodore Roosevelt: An Intimate Biography
13
Without weapons he could do nothing against the vicious forces of infinity.
Dark Universe
14
Spanish, British, and French colonisers all fought vicious wars with native tribes.
BBC
15
It forestalled a really vicious war that could have lasted for decades.
Ender’s Game
16
You've insulted me; I can be very vicious, simply out of caprice.
Nova
About this term
More collocations
Vicious through the time
Vicious across language varieties
South Africa
Common
Australia
Common
Ireland
Common
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