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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of virility
For men, particularly in the years before erectile medications hit the market, older paternity was tacitly perceived as a nod to enduring virility.
—
Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Oysters have been associated with sensuality and virility for centuries.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 27 May 2025
But before then, they were exclusively worn by men and were a sign of virility and high social status.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for virility
Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Oysters have been associated with sensuality and virility for centuries.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 27 May 2025
But before then, they were exclusively worn by men and were a sign of virility and high social status.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for virility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virility
masculinity
Noun
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In the photoshoot, Kelce presents a stereotypical (and exaggerated) embodiment of masculinity — he is dressed in full fur, construction vests and wrangles alligators.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
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But authenticity, not posturing, defined their masculinity.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Virility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virility. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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