vicious vicious /ˈvɪʃəs/

adjective

1. () (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering  ( barbarous , fell , roughshod , brutal , cruel , savage , vicious )
   (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
    A barbarous crime
   a barbarous crime
    Brutal beatings
   brutal beatings
    Cruel tortures
   cruel tortures
    Stalin's roughshod treatment of the kulaks
   Stalin's roughshod treatment of the kulaks
    A savage slap
   a savage slap
    Vicious kicks
   vicious kicks
   
2. () Having the nature of vice  ( evil , vicious )
   having the nature of vice
   
3. Marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful  ( poisonous , venomous , vicious )
   marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful
    Poisonous hate
   poisonous hate
    Venomous criticism
   venomous criticism
    Vicious gossip
   vicious gossip
   
4. Bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure  ( condemnable , deplorable , vicious , criminal , reprehensible )
   bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
    A criminal waste of talent
   a criminal waste of talent
    A deplorable act of violence
   a deplorable act of violence
    Adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife
   adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife