viciousness

IPA/ˈvɪʃəsnəs/
KK[vˈɪʃəsnɪs]IPA/ˈvɪʃəsnəs/

viciousness — noun

1. behaviour that is deliberately cruel, aimed at making someone feel hurt or unhap

1.名詞B2
釋義

behaviour that is deliberately cruel, aimed at making someone feel hurt or unhappy — for example, spreading false rumours to damage a person's reputation or mocking someone in front of others.

例句

The viciousness of Layla's remarks left her younger sister in tears.

viciousness + of + noun phrase (remarks/gossip/criticism)

Nikos could not believe the viciousness behind the gossip about his family.

同義詞
  • cruelty

    broader term covering both physical and emotional harm; less specific about malicious intent

  • malice

    emphasises a calculated, cold desire to see someone suffer rather than the act itself

  • spitefulness

    suggests smaller, pettier acts of meanness rather than deep or violent cruelty

反義詞
  • kindness

    the opposite of deliberately hurtful behaviour

  • compassion

    showing care and concern instead of cruelty

文法句型

the viciousness of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often describes written or spoken acts of deliberate cruelty — such as comments, rumours, or online messages — rather than physical violence.

常見錯誤

❌There was viciousness in his voice when he asked for the time.
✅There was irritation in his voice when he asked for the time.
💡Viciousness implies deliberate cruelty or extreme unkindness; ordinary annoyance is too mild.

2. the quality of being violently aggressive, causing serious physical harm or pain

2.名詞B2
釋義

the quality of being violently aggressive, causing serious physical harm or pain — for example, a beating that sends someone to hospital or a dog attack that leaves deep wounds.

例句

The viciousness of the street attack left two people in hospital.

viciousness + of + noun phrase (attack/fight/assault)

Tamar had never seen such viciousness in a playground fight before.

同義詞
  • brutality

    focuses on the physical roughness and lack of human feeling in an attack

  • savagery

    suggests wild, uncontrolled violence, often associated with animals

  • ferocity

    emphasises the intense, fierce nature of an attack more than the intent to cause pain

反義詞
  • gentleness

    the quality of being soft, mild, and physically careful

文法句型

the viciousness of + noun phrase describing an attack

用法筆記

Frequently appears in news reports about physical attacks or animal behaviour where the force used is extreme.

常見錯誤

❌The cat showed viciousness by scratching the sofa.
✅The dog showed viciousness by biting the postman's arm.
💡Scratching furniture is not violent enough; viciousness requires behaviour that intends or causes serious harm.