as in severity
biting sharpness of feeling or expression
I was surprised by the virulence of the criticism
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of virulence
Flu has overtaken covid in infections and hospitalizations during the winter respiratory virus season, and their virulence is becoming similar.
—
Fenit Nirappil,
Washington Post,
4 Mar. 2026
Genes involved in adaptation, such as those linked to virulence, metabolism or host interaction, also move with them.
—
Lily Peck,
The Conversation,
17 Feb. 2026
Even controversial research aimed at enhancing pathogen transmissibility and virulence can yield valuable insights into how pathogens naturally evolve and how to prepare for future pandemics.
—
David Gillum,
STAT,
22 Jan. 2026
One Pasteurella-like microbe carried genetic hints of virulence and has ties to deadly outbreaks in modern African elephants.
—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for virulence
Fenit Nirappil,
Washington Post,
4 Mar. 2026
Genes involved in adaptation, such as those linked to virulence, metabolism or host interaction, also move with them.
—
Lily Peck,
The Conversation,
17 Feb. 2026
Even controversial research aimed at enhancing pathogen transmissibility and virulence can yield valuable insights into how pathogens naturally evolve and how to prepare for future pandemics.
—
David Gillum,
STAT,
22 Jan. 2026
One Pasteurella-like microbe carried genetic hints of virulence and has ties to deadly outbreaks in modern African elephants.
—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for virulence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulence
Noun
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Emergency drain cleaning runs $400 to $1,000 or more, depending on severity.
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While most wildfires in the past burned slowly across the forest floor, providing benefits to the forest, high-severity fires roar into the tops of the trees, burning 1,000 degrees or hotter, with flames that can reach 200 feet tall.
Noun
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In the case of Alito and Thomas, there is also a striking note of bitterness.
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Looking back now, however, there is no bitterness attached to that chapter.
Noun
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Engelbert has consistently mismanaged the overt physical hostility directed at the league's biggest star.
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Today, however, some experts suggest that explicit displays of racial hostility have become more visible in public spaces.
Noun
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But on Wednesday, the jury in the latest trial found that MGA had not acted with malice, meaning no punitive damages would be awarded.
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The company’s own investigation points less to malice than to a process that never engaged.
Noun
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Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a type of cancer that forms in the slender tubes that carry digestive fluid bile, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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The disorder caused bile to build up in her liver, causing relentless itching with little relief.
Noun
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The virulency of Covid-19 trained even those of us who shop locally out of principal to purchase online.
Cite this Entry
“Virulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulence. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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