Mean
Mean adjective - Not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency.
Usage example: a mean trick to play on a trusting person
Vile is a synonym for mean in characteristic topic. In some cases you can use "Vile" instead the word "Mean" as an adjective or an adverb, when it comes to topics like good, right, shabby, contemptible. popular alternative
Vile
Vile adjective - Not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable.
Usage example: a vile plot to murder their political enemies
Mean is a synonym for vile in good topic. You can use "Mean" instead the word "Vile" as an adjective or a verb or an adverb, if it concerns topics such as right, base, offensive, shabby. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
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We're informed that they're particularly vile, but as Elayne doesn't know what they mean the reader is never informed.
Source: Noodle Implements -
Before The Reveal showing how grossly vile he really is, the former is only depicted as cocky and mean, thus less surprising than the latter Mole.
- But if you call him out on being vile or don't let him get his way then he'll start crying and whining that everyone is mean to him and that he works so hard to please and gets no respect.
Source: Man Child / Web Comics
Cite this Source
Vile and Mean. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/vile
Mean & Vile. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/vile>.
Vile or Mean. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/mean/vile.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "mean" and "vile" have occurred on timeline