1
: a toxic substance produced by some animals (such as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect
broadly
: a substance that is poisonous
2
: a spiteful malicious feeling or state of mind : extreme ill will : malevolence
Synonyms
Examples of venom in a Sentence
Noun
She spoke of him with venom in her voice.
He spewed venom against his rival.
Recent Examples on the Web
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
Hopefully, this notion does not sound entirely too pedestrian, because after all, the venom directed at this humble Libertarian from some who disagree with my views can be incredibly toxic at times.
—Byron Harlan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
The venom was then added, in-vitro, to the three types of cancer cells, while leaving some of the cancer cells venom-free as a control condition.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Some snakes have evolved deadly venom to hunt larger prey.
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024
His work included the development of the vividly descriptive Schmidt sting pain index as a means of comparing the effects of insect venom.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024
The reason is because venom is very energetically expensive for rattlesnakes to make.
—The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024
The photo had repercussions that surprised Gromek by their venom and Doby by their endurance.
—Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
For us, tarantula venom is akin to that of a typical bee sting.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
Nothing is known about the venom of the new species.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
Hopefully, this notion does not sound entirely too pedestrian, because after all, the venom directed at this humble Libertarian from some who disagree with my views can be incredibly toxic at times.
—Byron Harlan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
The venom was then added, in-vitro, to the three types of cancer cells, while leaving some of the cancer cells venom-free as a control condition.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Some snakes have evolved deadly venom to hunt larger prey.
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024
His work included the development of the vividly descriptive Schmidt sting pain index as a means of comparing the effects of insect venom.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024
The reason is because venom is very energetically expensive for rattlesnakes to make.
—The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024
The photo had repercussions that surprised Gromek by their venom and Doby by their endurance.
—Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
For us, tarantula venom is akin to that of a typical bee sting.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'venom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near venom
Cite this Entry
“Venom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venom. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
venom
noun
ven·om
ˈven-əm 
: a toxic substance produced by some animals (as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect
broadly
: a substance that is poisonous
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