Meaning
Vicious is an adjective that means cruel, violent, aggressive, or wicked. It can describe both people and things that are harmful or intended to cause pain. It may also refer to something extremely severe or intense.
Grammar and Usage
- Part of speech: Adjective
- Usage: Describes behavior, actions, people, or situations that are cruel, aggressive, or harmful.
- Can also describe cycles or patterns (e.g., a vicious cycle).
Sentence structures:
- vicious attack
- vicious animal
- a vicious rumor
- a vicious cycle/spiral
Common Phrases
- Vicious cycle/spiral – a repeating situation that gets worse over time.
- Vicious attack/assault – an extremely violent action.
- Vicious rumor – a cruel or harmful piece of gossip.
Collocations
- Vicious + attack, assault, dog, fight, rumor, crime, insult, storm, criticism, temper, enemy, circle
Examples
- The man received a vicious attack from a gang of thieves.
- The vicious dog barked fiercely at anyone who walked past the gate.
- She spread a vicious rumor about her colleague.
- Poverty and poor education can create a vicious cycle that is hard to escape.
- The storm brought vicious winds that tore down trees.
- He made a vicious remark that deeply hurt her feelings.
- The dictator ruled with a vicious hand, silencing all opposition.
- Their vicious fight left both men seriously injured.
Synonyms or Related
- Cruel
- Brutal
- Ferocious
- Savage
- Malicious
- Aggressive
Antonym
- Virtuous
- Gentle
- Kind
- Benevolent
- Mild