virile

adjective

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vir·ile | \ ˈvir-əl

, ˈvir-ˌī(-ə)l

, British also ˈvī(-ə)r-ˌī(-ə)l \

Definition of virile

1a : having traditionally masculine traits especially to a marked degree

b : characteristic of or associated with men : masculine

2 : having the nature, properties, or qualities of an adult male specifically : capable of functioning as a male in copulation

3 : energetic, vigorous

4 : masterful, forceful

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Synonyms & Antonyms for virile

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples of virile in a Sentence

men were once expected to be interested only in such virile activities as hunting

Recent Examples on the Web Images of these men on horseback or in classical profile began appearing on posters and handkerchiefs and even crockery, the pinup boys of the revolutionary age–virile and virtuous and handsome. — Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 5 Aug. 2021 Images of these men on horseback or in classical profile began appearing on posters and handkerchiefs and even crockery, the pinup boys of the revolutionary age–virile and virtuous and handsome. — Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 5 Aug. 2021 Images of these men on horseback or in classical profile began appearing on posters and handkerchiefs and even crockery, the pinup boys of the revolutionary age–virile and virtuous and handsome. — Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 5 Aug. 2021 One night, a virile young servant sneaks into the queen’s bed. — Andrew Stark, WSJ, 2 July 2021 Could the name be a sly reference to the female fantasy of the virile pool boy depicted in endless films? — Sharon Edelson, Forbes, 26 May 2021 Gone was the powerful leader from Themyscira; in her place was a flirtatious woman whose main goals were making the Bat Man feel virile and convincing the men around her to do their jobs. — Kelsea Stahler, refinery29.com, 18 Mar. 2021 Billy was famously virile, siring offspring with a pair of females, both of whom had names as human as his: Hannah and Matilda. — Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2020 Desperate, virile and indefatigable, each of these bitty boys will mate with as many females as possible, plugging away until the fur sloughs off his skin, his immune system fails and blood pools around his organs. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2020

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