as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
the virulent look on her face warned me that she was about to say something unkind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of virulent
Viruses can mutate to escape from antibodies, but the mRNA vaccines are not causing the emergence of more virulent strains, likely for at least two reasons.
—
Deborah Fuller, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025
The researchers analyzed samples of coronary plaques–fatty buildups on artery walls–from heart patients and found that about 40% of them had virulent bacteria in them.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The outlet reports that 14 more people were infected, bringing the number of people impacted by the virulent bacteria to 34 — the highest rate of infection in a decade.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This kind of modernism was exemplified in the ideology of the French Revolution and in the liberal ambitions of the Italian Risorgimento, both of which were marked by virulent anticlericalism and both of which the Catholic Church experienced as existential traumas.
—R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Deborah Fuller, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025
The researchers analyzed samples of coronary plaques–fatty buildups on artery walls–from heart patients and found that about 40% of them had virulent bacteria in them.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The outlet reports that 14 more people were infected, bringing the number of people impacted by the virulent bacteria to 34 — the highest rate of infection in a decade.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This kind of modernism was exemplified in the ideology of the French Revolution and in the liberal ambitions of the Italian Risorgimento, both of which were marked by virulent anticlericalism and both of which the Catholic Church experienced as existential traumas.
—R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulent
Adjective
-
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Lorena, now 55, was charged with malicious wounding, a felony offense, but was found not guilty by reason of temporary insanity following a two-week trial in early 1994.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This pervasive fragmentation creates a vicious cycle.—
Emeka Ajene,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Two officers responded and learned the teen had barricaded himself inside the upper unit of the duplex with several vicious dogs, according to a search warrant.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s actually the cruelest thing about them.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The cold on August 27, 2011, was unprecedented—unbridled, utterly cruel.—
Mariana Enriquez
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The show follows Ed Gein (Charlie Hunnam), an unassuming and odd man, working his family’s farm under the watchful eye of his hateful and vicious mother, Augusta (Laurie Metcalf).—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The student saw the hateful image and captured a photo from above.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Big, nasty and physical, Kalani Sitake’s bunch controls the ball on offense and gets it back quickly on defense.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Chad Powers’ nasty protagonist should give it license to be more cutting, rather than just unimaginatively crude, in its humor.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Virulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulent. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share