vice

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as in prostitution
the practice of engaging in sexual activities for money a seedy section of the city where vice is rampant and very much out in the open

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun vice contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vice are crime, offense, scandal, and sin. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

When would crime be a good substitute for vice?

The meanings of crime and vice largely overlap; however, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When is it sensible to use offense instead of vice?

While in some cases nearly identical to vice, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

When could scandal be used to replace vice?

The words scandal and vice can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

In what contexts can sin take the place of vice?

In some situations, the words sin and vice are roughly equivalent. However, sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vice
Noun
  • The Trump administration is substantially scaling back the State Department's annual reports on international human rights to remove longstanding critiques of abuses such as harsh prison conditions, government corruption and restrictions on participation in the political process, NPR has learned.
    Graham Smith, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Thao has since been indicted for bribery and corruption.
    Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • During periods of economic weakness when lending activity slows, consumers with high credit scores sometimes can take advantage of attractive offers.
    Russ Wiles, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • This move addresses one ongoing weakness with Bluesky: knowing who is real.
    Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The men face charges of solicitation of prostitution, a felony in Texas punishable with up two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
    Sarah Bahari, Dallas News, 5 Apr. 2023
  • Street prostitution has been an issue on Capp Street in the Mission District for decades.
    Fifth & Mission Podcast, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Feb. 2023
Noun
  • This represents that a person belongs to Jesus Christ and that a person is grieving and morning for their sins.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • If a teacher required a student who believes that being gay is a sin to write an essay repudiating that belief, for example, that would be unconstitutional.
    Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But officials were not able to confirm if a blown tire was at fault for the crash.
    Ron Wilkins, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)’s two-month investigation in December 2024 also reportedly concluded that no one was at fault.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lucas loved the idealistic adventure reels of the ’30s and ’40s where good and evil were divided by a fresh coat of paint.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Like him, Hur Jin-ho is concerned with the fragility of moral standing and how mercurial these not-so-concrete notions of right and wrong can be when evil sleeps just down the hall.
    David Opie, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Less than three weeks after his storybook St. John’s season came to a sudden end, the Hall of Fame coach acknowledged a shortcoming that’s helped drive his roster building this spring.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
  • And while the firings of three coaches at the end of last season could be interpreted as a warning shot to Hyde, Elias surely knows the responsibility for the team’s current shortcomings falls more on him than his manager.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • During the mid-credits scene, there are several reflections on Sammie’s life as a young man, plus a tempting offer from the vampires to give the elderly bluesman immorality.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Bad things happen when good people tolerate the immorality and lawlessness of a state or federal government.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Vice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vice. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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