as in masculinity
the set of qualities considered appropriate for or characteristic of men
many cultures value virility as a sign of power
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Recent Examples of virility
Tom Cruise, that avatar of all-American virility, opened the evening with an address that reaffirmed the rightness of the proceedings, much as Peck had in 1968.
—
Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
Managers no longer have two sartorial choices — polyester sportswear to denote virility and dynamism and suit and tie to convey sombre authority — but have branched out into turtlenecks, quarter-zips, and merino wool sweaters, the wardrobe of the TEDx talk.
—Rory Smith, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
And while a full head of hair has traditionally been seen as a symbol of masculinity and virility for men across the world, Turkey’s cosmetic surgeons might understand that better than anyone.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Dec. 2024
For all its Formula One credentials, for all its flashy virility and hair-trigger handling, the McLaren also sets a new supercar standard for inner peace.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2012
See All Example Sentences for virility
Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
Managers no longer have two sartorial choices — polyester sportswear to denote virility and dynamism and suit and tie to convey sombre authority — but have branched out into turtlenecks, quarter-zips, and merino wool sweaters, the wardrobe of the TEDx talk.
—Rory Smith, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
And while a full head of hair has traditionally been seen as a symbol of masculinity and virility for men across the world, Turkey’s cosmetic surgeons might understand that better than anyone.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Dec. 2024
For all its Formula One credentials, for all its flashy virility and hair-trigger handling, the McLaren also sets a new supercar standard for inner peace.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2012
See All Example Sentences for virility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virility
masculinity
Noun
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In exploring height in definitions of masculinity in Georgian England, McCormack considers the very tall John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich (1718–1792).—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
28 June 2025
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Counselors who provide deep kindness and empathy to campers model healthier, more expansive examples of masculinity to boys.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Virility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virility. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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