From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishviciousvi‧cious /ˈvɪʃəs/●くろまる●くろまる○しろまる adjective1VIOLENTviolent and cruel in a way that hurts someone physicallya vicious murdera vicious killerKeep away from that dog, he can be vicious.► see thesaurus at cruel, violent2UNKINDvery unkind in a way that is intended to hurt someone’s feelings or make their character seem badSYN maliciousSarah can be quite vicious at times.a vicious personal attack on the DuchessShe was shocked by the vicious tone in his voice.3SERIOUS SITUATIONunpleasantly strong or severeSYN violenta vicious gust of winda vicious headache —viciously adverbHe twisted her arm viciously. —viciousness noun [uncountable]Examples from the Corpusvicious• The Senatorlaunched a vicious attack on the former President.• Someone is conducting a viciouscampaign of falserumours against the Royal Family.• Big Willie was the toughestdude on the block, a bad combination of vicious clothes-taking bully and mean, gutsyfighter.• "It was a particularly viciouscrime, " a police spokesman said.• a vicious crime• Rottweilers are viciousdogs, far too dangerous to have as pets.• vicious dogs• High tide is often positively dangerous, with viciousdumping waves breaking on the steepslope of the upperbeach.• Everybody knew Al was vicious in the courtroom, but they knew he left it in the courtroom.• But the old guard in the leadership sends in the tanks and introduces a new phase of viciousrepression.• Apparently the girl was the victim of a vicioussex attack.• John gets prettyvicious when he's drunk.• We found ourselves surrounded by a gang of vicious young thugs, armed with belts, sticks and stones.Originvicious(1300-1400)Old Frenchvicieux, from Latinvitiosus"full of faults", from vitium; → VICE