vicious
Mean and dangerous
Vicious describes something savage, brutal, or deliberately cruel.
A vicious attack inflicts serious harm.
A vicious dog is dangerously aggressive.
A vicious rumor is maliciously damaging.
The word often implies not just harm but intent to harm—a vicious circle traps you in escalating difficulty, each problem feeding the next.
Savagely harsh or severe
- savageFierce and untamed
- barbaricSavagely cruel, uncivilized
- ferociousExtremely violent or aggressive
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
bloodthirsty · bestial · beastly · brutish · feral · monstrous · atrocious · heinous
Willfully causing suffering
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- callousCruelly insensitive to others
mean-spirited · nasty · vindictive · ruthless · pitiless · cold-blooded · unmerciful · unforgiving
Violent offensive act
- beatingRepeated striking or pulsing
- onslaughtFierce, overwhelming assault
- rampageViolent, destructive outburst
- maulingViolent tearing attack
battering · pummeling · thrashing · lashing · ambush · blitz · barrage · unprovoked
Vocalized hostile warning
- feralWild after domestication
- rabidViolently extreme or fervent
- fangsSharp piercing teeth
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
bite · attack · mauling · predator · growl · teeth · beast · dog
Curved closed shape
- loopCurve closing on itself
- spiralCurve winding around center
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- trapDevice for catching animals
feedback · self-perpetuating · downward · recurring · endless · inescapable · destructive · reinforcing
Petty malicious intent
- hatredIntense hostile aversion
- venomInjected animal poison
- malevolenceActive ill will
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
animosity · resentment · vindictiveness · hostility · enmity · ill-will · nastiness · rancor
brutal
Savagely harsh or severe
fierce · bloodthirsty · bestial · beastly · brutish · feral · monstrous · atrocious · heinous · diabolical
cruel
Willfully causing suffering
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
callous · mean-spirited · nasty · vindictive · ruthless · pitiless · cold-blooded · unmerciful · unforgiving · harsh
assault
Violent offensive act
- beatingRepeated striking or pulsing
- onslaughtFierce, overwhelming assault
- rampageViolent, destructive outburst
mauling · battering · pummeling · thrashing · lashing · ambush · blitz · barrage · unprovoked · relentless
snarling
Vocalized hostile warning
claws · bite · attack · mauling · predator · growl · teeth · beast · dog · wolf
circle
Curved closed shape
- loopCurve closing on itself
- spiralCurve winding around center
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
trap · feedback · self-perpetuating · downward · recurring · endless · inescapable · destructive · reinforcing · repetitive
spite
Petty malicious intent
- hatredIntense hostile aversion
- venomInjected animal poison
- malevolenceActive ill will
bitterness · animosity · resentment · vindictiveness · hostility · enmity · ill-will · nastiness · rancor · antipathy
- vicious cycleSelf-perpetuating harmful pattern
- vicious circleSelf-reinforcing negative loop
- vicious rumors
- Sid Vicious