viper

noun

vi·per | \ ˈvī-pər

Definition of viper

1a : a common Eurasian venomous snake (Vipera berus) that attains a length of about two feet (0.6 meter), varies in color from red, brown, or gray with dark markings to black, and is usually not fatal to humans broadly : any of a family (Viperidae) of venomous snakes that includes Old World snakes (subfamily Viperinae) and the pit vipers

b : a venomous or reputedly venomous snake

2 : a vicious or treacherous person

Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing viper Learn More About viper

Examples of viper in a Sentence

a viper sliding silently through the field

Recent Examples on the Web As Albania’s ruler, Zog had been a tyrant and a modernizer, a viper and a visionary, intent on obtaining and holding power at any cost. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2022 In the original myth, Orpheus returns from his expedition with the Argonauts and marries the fair Eurydice, who — of course — dies soon after from a viper bite and descends to the underworld. — Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2021 The prosecution called multiple experts who testified the Russell's viper bite was also unnatural. — Rhea Mogul And Esha Mitra, CNN, 20 Nov. 2021 But the viper was found in the bedroom of their home's second floor after the first attempt. — NBC News, 15 Oct. 2021 An Indian woman presented with multiday visual hallucinations after being bitten by a Russell’s viper. — Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 28 Sep. 2021 His pre-op docs discovered undiagnosed cancer had crept in and poisoned his body like a silent viper. — Steve West, sun-sentinel.com, 6 Aug. 2021 Despite the secrecy, the critically endangered viper was tracked down within months and put on sale in Europe by German traders. — Pavel Toropov, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2021 There is no antivenom for the African bush viper, and bites can cause fevers or internal bleeding, which can be fatal. — Wilson Wong, NBC News, 13 Apr. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'viper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About viper

Dictionary Entries Near viper

VIP

viper

viper's bugloss

Statistics for viper

Last Updated

17 Apr 2022

Cite this Entry

“Viper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viper. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for viper

viper

noun

vi·per | \ ˈvī-pər

Kids Definition of viper

: a poisonous heavy-bodied snake with long hollow fangs

viper

noun

vi·per | \ ˈvī-pər

Medical Definition of viper

1 : a common Eurasian venomous snake of the genus Vipera (V. berus) that attains a length of about two feet (0.6 meter), varies in color from red, brown, or gray with dark markings to black, and whose bite is usually not fatal to humans broadly : any snake of an Old World subfamily (Viperinae) of the family Viperidae

2 : pit viper

3 : a venomous or reputedly venomous snake