as in severity
biting sharpness of feeling or expression
I was surprised by the virulence of the criticism
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 virulence
The scale score measures the virulence of cancerous cells and tissues in the body, with a higher score meaning the cancer is more likely to spread quickly, as Biden’s has already done.
—
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025
In Canada, modest supply management policies keep farmgate and farmer pay prices higher, while disincentivizing the buildout of fast-paced, crowded and large scale production facilities at the heart of avian flu virulence.
—Errol Schweizer, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Everything about the movement surprised political observers: its virulence, its magnitude, its provincial origins, its apparent lack of structure and leadership, and its adamant refusal to be co-opted by existing political parties and unions.
—Arthur Goldhammer, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2018
An ePPP is a pathogen that has been modified to enhance its transmissibility and virulence.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for virulence
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025
In Canada, modest supply management policies keep farmgate and farmer pay prices higher, while disincentivizing the buildout of fast-paced, crowded and large scale production facilities at the heart of avian flu virulence.
—Errol Schweizer, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Everything about the movement surprised political observers: its virulence, its magnitude, its provincial origins, its apparent lack of structure and leadership, and its adamant refusal to be co-opted by existing political parties and unions.
—Arthur Goldhammer, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2018
An ePPP is a pathogen that has been modified to enhance its transmissibility and virulence.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for virulence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulence
Noun
-
The speedy identification of cases can affect whether a person is eligible for post-exposure treatments, too, which can limit the severity of the disease and sometimes prevent illness altogether.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
However, the company has now reduced this forecast to just $16 per share — a nearly 47% decrease that underscores the severity of the company’s operational struggles.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
There is a clear correlation between being the victim of hostility and suffering from negative mental health or even physical health.—
Jo Causon,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Time and again the president has expressed optimism after speaking with Putin about winding down the hostilities.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Actual malice means a reporter or press outlet knew their story was false or else acted with reckless disregard for the truth.—
Stephanie A,
The Conversation,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Betrayal beyond one’s control may involve situations like forgetting an important date due to stress or feeling overwhelmed, hurting others’ feelings unintentionally by making careless comments or blunders made out of misunderstanding rather than malice.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Former bile farmers could also voluntarily relinquish their bears, and many have.—
Ryley Graham,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
-
Biliary atresia is a disease in which a baby's bile ducts become obstructed, meaning bile can't get out of the liver and into the intestine.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Virulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulence. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share