VICIOUSNESS Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

viciousness

noun

Definition of viciousness

as in malice

the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm simple viciousness can be the only reason for spreading such vile, unfounded rumors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cruelty

disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others the unspeakable viciousness of some dictators in the past

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of viciousness The jury further determined that the crimes involved a threat of great bodily harm and demonstrated a high degree of cruelty, viciousness or callousness, the district attorney's office said. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 18 June 2026 The expediency of their exchanges (back and forth over a couple of weeks) electrified the planet, especially the mounting viciousness of Lamar’s attack (ad hominem all the way). — New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026 The horror has come now like a storm— what if this night prefigured the night after death— what if all thereafter was an eternal quivering on the edge of an abyss, with everything base and vicious in oneself urging one forward and the baseness and viciousness of the world just ahead. — Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026 But this candid and absorbing memoir is also a stark reminder of the corruptions of power, the uncertainties of revolution and the frequent viciousness of human nature. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026 Down 14 points with 30 seconds left, the viciousness of the hit seemed more about injuring than winning a game that was already settled. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026 The casual viciousness of children is the centerpiece of the film, which has triggered audiences who grew up in the same era as Polinger. — William Earl, Variety, 23 Dec. 2025 Hinkey finds both viciousness and vulnerability within Red Feather, crafting, through his fierce physicality and long, unblinking gazes, a man aware of the world steadily leaving him behind. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025 The movie’s grand centerpiece is a dinner party where Theo and Ivy go at each other with such viciousness that their guests can only stand by and watch, aghast. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for viciousness

Noun

Colt Gray, now 16, pleaded guilty to 55 felony counts, including four counts of malice murder, on Friday.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
The suspect, who has not been identified due to his age, faces two counts of malice murder, possession of a pistol by a minor, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 29 July 2026

Definition of malice

Noun

Each venom is a unique cocktail of peptides and proteins that can cause muscular paralysis, tissue destruction, cardiac arrest, or other effects.

— Steve Midway, STAT, 16 July 2026
Given the absence of venom, the researchers propose that these arachnids likely use strong raptorial pedipalps (claw-like appendages).

— Jay Kakade July 13, New Atlas, 14 July 2026

Definition of venom

Noun

Viral videos of the police brutality on Instagram and YouTube swelled the crowds even further and transformed the protest site into a zone of occupation with the energy of a carnival.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
Nixon administration played hardball Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon, for example, attacked coverage of police brutality at the 1968 Chicago Democratic National Convention as one-sided in favor of antiwar protestors.

— Heather Hendershot, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

Definition of brutality

Noun

Considering the deep-rooted hatred that defined the Bruins-Canadiens rivalry, Neely was the ultimate villain.

— Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Engelbert will meet with the executive committee of the players’ union on Tuesday to discuss the recent uptick in online hatred and threats directed toward players.

— Doug Feinberg, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of hatred

Browse Nearby Words

viciously

viciousness

vicissitude

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“Viciousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/viciousness. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of viciousness

noun

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