as in male
of, relating to, or marked by qualities traditionally associated with men
men were once expected to be interested only in such virile activities as hunting
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 virile
Rather than prizing animals for their beauty, their virile traits or their straight-up cool characteristics, frogposting is all about vulnerable animals—the dweebs of the animal kingdom.
—
Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025
All research seems to indicate that this back-to-back joke from 1985 was the lodestar for the meme of a socially inept teen feigning virile worldliness with a gal in America's northern neighbor country.
—Jordan Hoffman Updated, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2025
During his campaign for reelection in 2024, Trump, who turns 79 in June, sold digital trading cards that featured virile depictions of himself as a cowboy, superhero and astronaut, among other images.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
In The Empire’s frame, residents of a coastal village in northern France — gruff, virile fisherman Jony (Brandon Vlieghe) and teenage tease Line (Lyna Khoudri) — reveal their oddball allegiance to extraterrestrial invaders.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for virile
Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025
All research seems to indicate that this back-to-back joke from 1985 was the lodestar for the meme of a socially inept teen feigning virile worldliness with a gal in America's northern neighbor country.
—Jordan Hoffman Updated, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2025
During his campaign for reelection in 2024, Trump, who turns 79 in June, sold digital trading cards that featured virile depictions of himself as a cowboy, superhero and astronaut, among other images.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
In The Empire’s frame, residents of a coastal village in northern France — gruff, virile fisherman Jony (Brandon Vlieghe) and teenage tease Line (Lyna Khoudri) — reveal their oddball allegiance to extraterrestrial invaders.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for virile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virile
Adjective
-
Aurélien has built its reputation by concentrating on the core of the male wardrobe.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The other traces a friendship between two middle-aged, male coworkers, both of whom are exploring infidelity—one by having an affair with the other’s wife.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The couple created Boni’s as a slightly more rough-hewn and masculine version of their bespoke sister restaurant.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The balance between masculine and feminine, precision and play, ran through every look.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Virile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virile. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
