mindmap root((邪恶)) vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or it may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence: a ~ gangster wanted for murder. villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic: ~ behavior that must be punished. iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness: an ~ tyrant, ruling by fear and intimidation. nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct: pornography, prostitution, and organized crime's other ~ activities. infamous suggests shameful and scandalous wickedness: ~ for their crimes. corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations: city hall was filled with ~ politicians. degenerate suggests having sunk from a higher to an especially vicious or enervated condition: a ~ regime propped up by foreign support.