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
  • The Trump administration is substantially scaling back the State Department's annual reports on international human rights to remove longstanding critiques of abuses such as harsh prison conditions, government corruption and restrictions on participation in the political process, NPR has learned.
    Graham Smith, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Thao has since been indicted for bribery and corruption.
    Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • However, economists say trade deficits aren’t a sign of national weakness.
    Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The dollar strengthened after days of weakness, and oil rose back above $60, starting to climb out of a danger zone.
    Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 8 Apr. 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
  • Landing in the bottom are Henry (for the sin of a spongy scallion pancake), Paula (for texture issues), and Bailey (for the aforementioned Pile of Stuff).
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025
  • But the occasional poach is perhaps no great sin, more akin to driving over the speed limit than, say, starting a forest fire.
    Mark Sundeen, Outside Online, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The ’keeper was very much at fault for Newcastle’s final goal, clipping a pass straight to Joelinton, who passed for Bruno Guimaraes to add the fourth.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The 29-year-old was at fault for both of Lyon’s goals in Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg in France, which United drew 2-2.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, celebrates the beginning of spring and the the triumph of good over evil.
    Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Valentin looking evil as hell in his green collar :) Chelsea’s bright yellow caftan is so hopeful and so sad, somehow.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Less than three weeks after his storybook St. John’s season came to a sudden end, the Hall of Fame coach acknowledged a shortcoming that’s helped drive his roster building this spring.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
  • And while the firings of three coaches at the end of last season could be interpreted as a warning shot to Hyde, Elias surely knows the responsibility for the team’s current shortcomings falls more on him than his manager.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Bad things happen when good people tolerate the immorality and lawlessness of a state or federal government.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Segregationists resisted integration by calling it a threat, arguing that interracial relationships would foster immorality.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Vice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vice. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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