venom

noun

ˈve-nəm How to pronounce venom (audio)
Definition of venomnext
1
as in poison
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing an antidote to snake venom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm a neighborhood gossip of such venom that she was feared by all and genuinely liked by no one

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 venom Once injected with venom, the prey is paralyzed and drained of bodily fluids. — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026 The hobbits wouldn’t have been at risk of venom poisoning while scavenging because Komodo dragon venom contains proteins that stomach enzymes would break down, according to the study. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 But for those who absolutely must release their venom, hit me in the comments section below or at my X handle, @Ken_Rosenthal. — Levi Weaver, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Public Luxury is less a dissertation on those tenets than an emotional response to the struggle to achieve it—mouths dripping with venom, eyes swollen with tears, hearts heavy with love. — Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for venom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venom
  1. poison
  2. malice
  3. toxic
  4. hatred
  5. disease
  6. toxin
Noun
  • Revenge… Historically, femme spirits have been more likely than men to use poison as an act of killing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • Kara changes her tune when Krem hijacks Kara’s ship and shoots Krypto with a poison dart.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 July 2026
Definition of poison
Noun
  • But on Wednesday, the jury in the latest trial found that MGA had not acted with malice, meaning no punitive damages would be awarded.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026
  • The company’s own investigation points less to malice than to a process that never engaged.
    — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of malice
Noun
  • Portside residents face higher cancer risk from air toxics than 93% of the nation.
    — Jose Franco Garcia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2026
  • Asparagus releases a chemical toxic to root knot nematodes, a microscopic round worm that creates multiple disease and growth problems in tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes and peppers.
    — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 3 May 2026
Definition of toxic
Noun
  • The rivalry between the neighboring nations stretches back over 100 years on the pitch without ever being one that has slipped into hatred.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Proof that the babies aren’t born with hatred in their bellies and in their blood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • In Orange County, its vector control district reported its first disease-carrying mosquitoes in Newport Beach on June 2.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • The disease does not generally spread from person to person, but infections can occur if the bacteria get into a building's water supply, including in shower heads, sink faucets, hot water tanks, heaters, cooling towers and other plumbing systems.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • Alcohol Drinking alcohol often or in large amounts produces toxins, causes oxidative stress, and harms your gut and liver, triggering inflammation.
    — Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 6 July 2026
  • Washing blueberries removes dirt and toxins that may cling to the fruit during handling and transporting from farm to store.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026
Definition of toxin

Browse Nearby Words

venial
venom
venomous
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Cite this Entry

“Venom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venom. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on venom

Nglish: Translation of venom for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about venom

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