凶恶 (xiōng è) is an adjective meaning 'ferocious' or 'cruel', describing someone or something that is violently aggressive, threatening, or morally harsh. The first character 凶 (xiōng) conveys danger, ominousness, or ill omen—often associated with violence or disaster—while 恶 (è) means 'evil', 'wicked', or 'repulsive'. Together, they intensify each other to express extreme, often frightening, malevolence or brutality.

This word is commonly used to describe dangerous animals (e.g., a rabid dog), villains in stories, or people behaving with shocking cruelty. It carries strong negative emotional weight and is not used lightly—it implies intentional harm or deep-seated viciousness, not just anger or rudeness. While it can appear in news reports or literary descriptions, it’s rarely used in casual conversation due to its severity.