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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Frustrated that his dad seems to have given up on her, and conditioned to believe that protecting your own at any cost is the only valid expression of masculinity, Spike loads a few arrows in his quiver and sneaks back to the mainland with his mom in tow.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
18 June 2025
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This depth is not a departure from masculinity but a reintegration.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Virility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virility. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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