vicious weather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vicious weather" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe extremely harsh or severe weather conditions that are dangerous or unpleasant. Example: "The hikers were caught in the mountains during a storm, facing vicious weather that made their descent treacherous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Vicious weather enveloped the mountain, and a hair-raising descent ensued.

The New York Times - Books

This weekend's football fixtures continue to fall victim to the vicious weather assaulting the nation, with Liverpool's home game against Tottenham and Hull's meeting with Chelsea the latest matches to join the list of postponements.

The Guardian - Sport

— Rain and winds reaching 60 miles per hour Sunday felled a 40-foot pine tree on the Pebble Beach golf course, a sign of the vicious weather that led PGA Tour officials to postpone the final round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am until Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

This is very occasionally a blessed relief when I hear later about insane producers, crippling budgets, vicious weather, costumes only fit to be viewed from one side and the risk of death in – for example - improperly choreographed fights, or botched house fires.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Vicious winter weather has tripped up millions of travelers across the United States during the first two weeks of December and that's before the holiday rush.

Forbes

The big question: will he manage to weather this vicious economic storm and be able to maintain his hold on The Independent?

The Guardian

The famine is not simply a natural disaster caused by lack of rain, officials said; AIDS is working in concert with the weather to create a vicious cycle.

The New York Times

The weather worsened to a buffeting, vicious swirl.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Since then, one American infantry battalion after another has fought there, trying to establish security in villages while weathering roadside bombs and often vicious fights.

The New York Times

That gives you confidence in turns and even in lousy weather (we had to drive ours through a vicious rainstorm for more than two hours, and it stayed right where we aimed it).

Forbes

The sceptics are getting angrier and more vicious every year despite the more storms we have, and the more mad crazy weather we have… One of the problems is that typically you are not dealing with the facts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vicious weather" to vividly describe weather conditions that are not just unpleasant, but actively hostile or dangerous. It's most effective when emphasizing the impact on people or activities.

Common error

Avoid using "vicious weather" when simply describing a rainy day or mild inconvenience. It is more appropriate for situations involving genuine risk or hardship.

Linguistic Context

Adjective and noun combination functioning descriptively. The adjective "vicious" modifies the noun "weather", creating a vivid image of particularly severe conditions. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples, showcasing its descriptive power in contexts ranging from mountain climbing to sports event cancellations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vicious weather" is a grammatically correct and impactful way to describe severely adverse weather conditions. Primarily used in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys danger and disruption. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is most suited for scenarios where the weather poses a significant threat, rather than mere inconvenience. While alternatives like ""severe weather"" exist, "vicious weather" provides a more vivid and evocative description. Avoiding its overuse in casual situations will ensure its descriptive power remains strong.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe weather

This alternative is a more general term for harsh weather conditions.

extreme weather

This alternative emphasizes the intensity and unusual nature of the weather.

harsh weather

This alternative focuses on the unpleasant and difficult aspects of the weather.

brutal weather

This alternative highlights the unforgiving and relentless nature of the weather.

violent weather

This alternative emphasizes the destructive and forceful aspects of the weather.

ferocious weather

This alternative conveys a sense of wild and untamed weather.

inclement weather

This alternative is a more formal and polite way to describe bad weather.

atrocious weather

This alternative indicates extremely poor and unpleasant weather conditions.

destructive weather

This alternative emphasizes the potential damage caused by the weather.

stormy weather

This alternative specifies weather characterized by storms and turbulent conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "vicious weather" to describe severe and dangerous conditions. For instance, "The climbers were trapped on the mountain due to the "vicious weather".".

What are some alternatives to "vicious weather"?

Alternatives include "severe weather", "extreme weather", or "harsh weather", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "vicious weather" a formal or informal phrase?

"Vicious weather" leans towards a more descriptive and impactful tone, suitable for news reports and narratives. More formal contexts might prefer ""severe weather"".

What kind of weather does "vicious weather" describe?

"Vicious weather" describes conditions that are not only unpleasant but also dangerous or destructive, like blizzards, hurricanes, or extreme cold snaps. It implies a serious threat.