as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
the virulent look on her face warned me that she was about to say something unkind
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Recent Examples of virulent
Despite the recent controversy, Rose has been perceived largely positively in Poland over his virulent defense of Polish history.
—
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026
Whether the impact is from a hurricane, tornado, derecho, wildfire, or severe flooding, the typical American home, commercial building or municipal structure typically lacks the strength to withstand the onslaught of today’s more virulent weather events.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Ireland is now one of the most virulent anti-Israel countries in Europe, blurring the line between criticizing Israeli policies and questioning Israel’s right to exist.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Pinochet, a virulent anti-communist and Germanophile, was anointed as head of a four-man Military Junta, and later President of Chile.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026
Whether the impact is from a hurricane, tornado, derecho, wildfire, or severe flooding, the typical American home, commercial building or municipal structure typically lacks the strength to withstand the onslaught of today’s more virulent weather events.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Ireland is now one of the most virulent anti-Israel countries in Europe, blurring the line between criticizing Israeli policies and questioning Israel’s right to exist.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Pinochet, a virulent anti-communist and Germanophile, was anointed as head of a four-man Military Junta, and later President of Chile.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulent
Adjective
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Benjamin Parris, also 19, of Greenville, South Carolina, is charged with two counts of malicious destruction of property of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 and two counts of conspiracy to commit malicious destruction of property of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Instead of using obvious malicious code, the attackers built the installer with legitimate tools and layered the attack in stages.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Now, is that the same as a soldier betting on the capture of a vicious dictator?—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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Beijing has long struggled to drive domestic consumption, while brutal competition in many industries has pushed producers to cut prices, triggering a vicious cycle in which people hold off on purchases in anticipation of coming discounts.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
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Every day in New York City, thousands of home attendants are being forced to work cruel 24-hour shifts while being paid for only 13 of those hours.—
Christopher Marte,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Fuentes and his hateful mob — along with the rest of the world — are still waiting for the segment to air on CNN.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
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While Kirk was praised by conservatives as a champion of free speech, he was also criticized for comments that many other Americans found hateful toward LGBTQ+ communities, non-Christians, people of color and women.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The duo made up for the absence of Wembanyama, who did not clear concussion protocol after a nasty fall knocked him out early from a Game 2 loss.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Lomu did not fit the typical profile Mike Vrabel seeks in linemen, players with a nasty streak and fierce play demeanor.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Virulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulent. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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