vice

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as in prostitution
the practice of engaging in sexual activities for money a seedy section of the city where vice is rampant and very much out in the open

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun vice contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vice are crime, offense, scandal, and sin. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

When would crime be a good substitute for vice?

The meanings of crime and vice largely overlap; however, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When is it sensible to use offense instead of vice?

While in some cases nearly identical to vice, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

When could scandal be used to replace vice?

The words scandal and vice can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

In what contexts can sin take the place of vice?

In some situations, the words sin and vice are roughly equivalent. However, sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vice
Noun
  • Although Russia has struggled to embrace startup culture, the big contractors have a stranglehold on the supply process; corruption is endemic, and the military know who to buy from.
    David Hambling, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The council has been target of calls for a reconfiguration following its lack of action on the corruption allegations, dissatisfaction with many of its decisions and the escalating gang violence.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty with balance, neuropathic pain, and muscle weakness.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Those gels in your belt, shorts, or bra pocket aren’t a sign of weakness.
    Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The men face charges of solicitation of prostitution, a felony in Texas punishable with up two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
    Sarah Bahari, Dallas News, 5 Apr. 2023
  • Street prostitution has been an issue on Capp Street in the Mission District for decades.
    Fifth & Mission Podcast, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Feb. 2023
Noun
  • Her final trial is a testament to her iron will and the sins she's been forged from.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Discovery role as Philippa Georgiou, the onetime Terran emperor who allies with the titular secret division of Starfleet — and in turn must face the sins of her past.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The fault in falling for such a scam will likely fall to you.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • To hear President-elect Donald Trump tell it, this was all the fault of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and outgoing President Biden.
    Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In a tense confrontation between traditional tracking techniques and state-of-the-art technology, the police and criminals engage in a battle of wits, setting the stage for a cat-and-mouse showdown between good and evil.
    Sara Merican, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
  • However, Orlok is secretly an agent of evil who haunts Hutter’s new wife Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) into lustful submission.
    Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • President Trump’s demands for lower interest rates shines a spotlight on the shortcomings of our technocratic dollar system.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Lucky for those of us prone to this design shortcoming, clutter can be quickly remedied with a few thoughtful updates.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The film cares more for Romy’s enveloping sense of self than the depths of her immorality.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
  • What captivated me about the series was its unwillingness to sugarcoat the immorality of man.
    Jason Parham, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2024
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near vice

Cite this Entry

“Vice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vice. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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