vicious temper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vicious temper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a tendency to become very angry or aggressive easily. Example: "After hearing the news, his vicious temper flared up, and he started shouting at everyone around him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Who forgives Coriolanus his righteousness, or his vicious temper?

The New York Times

Though known to have an occasionally vicious temper, Mr Fukuda's manner for the most part is grey and conciliatory.

The Economist

Philip is an electrifying presence whenever he limps onto the scene with his terrible war-wounds, vicious temper and towering libido.

The Guardian - Books

My dad had a vicious temper, and he and my mom fought so often that my brother and I were afraid to take friends home.

The New York Times

She'd engaged in prostitution, hadn't had a regular job in 10 years and displayed a sometimes vicious temper, according to internal records and interviews.

Los Angeles Times

Annie clearly felt she was mopping up the floor with her snark, but actually, she was just reinforcing her image as a nasty piece of work with a vicious temper.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

At Versailles, there's an aging creative director, who appears to be modeled after the late Alexander Liberman, although I doubt Liberman ever smelled as bad as the character does here; a flock of anorexic editors in chief with vicious tempers; and a cast of sexually ambiguous men who yearn to climb the mastheads of magazines with titles like She, Boy and It.

The New York Times - Books

Their mother had a vicious, unpredictable temper, and often beat Niki's younger sister, Elizabeth, "with the prickly side of a hairbrush".

The New Yorker

He could be fiery, and he had a vicious temper when someone angered him, which admittedly was not easy to accomplish".

Wikipedia

Arriving at our penultimate park, Kings Island, north of Cincinnati, I had a vicious headache and a cranky temper that no amount of coasting could cure.

The New York Times - Travel

Their relief at the end of Saddam, who was hanged on Dec. 30 2006, was tempered by a long and vicious war that was launched to find nonexistent weapons of mass destruction and nearly plunged the nation into full-scale sectarian civil war.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character, use "vicious temper" to illustrate a propensity for sudden and extreme anger, highlighting a key aspect of their personality or behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "vicious temper" lightly; reserve it for instances where the anger displayed is genuinely severe and has harmful consequences. Overusing it can diminish its impact and misrepresent the intensity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vicious temper" functions as a descriptor, typically characterizing a person or character. It combines the adjective "vicious", intensifying the noun "temper", to denote a propensity for extreme and often harmful anger. As Ludwig AI says, it is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vicious temper" is a descriptor used to depict a propensity for extreme anger, mainly in News & Media. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently used to highlight character traits in narrative contexts. While grammatically sound, it's important to reserve its usage for situations where anger is genuinely severe to avoid diminishing its impact. Alternatives such as "ferocious rage" or "violent disposition" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violent disposition

Focuses on the inherent nature of being prone to violence, shifting the emphasis from a temporary state to an enduring trait.

uncontrollable anger

Directly describes the lack of ability to manage or restrain one's anger, focusing on the loss of control.

ferocious rage

Highlights the intensity and uncontrolled nature of the anger, emphasizing the raw emotion.

fiery disposition

Indicates a strong, passionate nature that can easily ignite into anger, suggesting an underlying intensity.

ill-tempered nature

Focuses on a generally unpleasant and irritable disposition, making it a stable personality characteristic.

volatile character

Describes someone whose mood changes rapidly and unpredictably, often resulting in angry outbursts.

explosive personality

Emphasizes the sudden and unpredictable outbursts of anger, depicting a volatile character.

savage fury

Implies a wild and untamed anger, suggesting a primal and destructive emotional outburst.

intense wrath

Highlights the depth and power of the anger, emphasizing its overwhelming nature.

brutal mood

Indicates a harsh and severe emotional state, shifting focus from the cause of the emotion to its impact.

FAQs

How can I use "vicious temper" in a sentence?

You can use "vicious temper" to describe a character's tendency to become extremely angry. For example: "He was known for his vicious temper, which often led to explosive arguments."

What are some alternatives to "vicious temper"?

Alternatives include "violent disposition", "ferocious rage", or "uncontrollable anger", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What distinguishes "vicious temper" from "bad temper"?

"Vicious temper" implies a more extreme and potentially harmful level of anger compared to a general "bad temper". It suggests a greater likelihood of aggressive or destructive behavior.

Is it appropriate to use "vicious temper" in formal writing?

While "vicious temper" is acceptable, consider the context. In formal writing, more nuanced alternatives like "ill-tempered nature" or "volatile character" might be more suitable, depending on the specific tone and audience.