VIRULENT Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

virulent

adjective

ˈvir-ə-lənt

Definition of virulent

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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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 virulent The Italian actress is, of course, associated more recently with the early years of MeToo, which saw her as one of the most virulent direct accusers of Harvey Weinstein, after which she was embroiled in misconduct allegations of her own from former actor collaborator Jimmy Bennett. — David Katz, IndieWire, 20 May 2026 The smuggling of fighting roosters from Mexico has been linked to multiple outbreaks of virulent Newcastle disease in the United States, according to Animal Wellness Action. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 May 2026 Measles is so virulent that at least 95% of a community needs to be vaccinated with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to avoid its spread, according to the World Health Organization. — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 17 May 2026 The precautions are necessary, says Colleen Jonsson, a virologist at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, because of the possibility of the virus mutating to become more virulent. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for virulent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulent

Adjective

On this occasion, OpenAI appears to have been transparent about its involvement in the incident and is working alongside Hugging Face to respond, but defenders need to prepare for a world where such tools are in the hands of openly malicious actors.

— Tim Keary, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Skubal did not say those words about the MRI and the arbitration hearing with any malicious tone.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of malicious

Adjective

Harbaugh had tense standoffs with legacy defenders Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and, during the 2012 season, held a sitdown with his players to address their vicious and personal attacks on his approach.

— Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 22 July 2026
The film also shows Maddox and her father in a vicious argument inside her car that illustrates the fracturing of their once-close bond.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of vicious

Adjective

But in one of the cruelest ironies in rock history, Berry suffered a devastating car crash not far from the actual Dead Man’s Curve in Los Angeles on April 12, 1966.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
In the face of climate change, such woo woo aphorisms seem ridiculous, naive, and cruel.

— Josh Fox, IndieWire, 17 July 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

Look the steady coarsening of American civic and political culture and the ways in which the once-outrageous—the bilious, hateful rhetoric and the creeping authoritarianism—have become almost ordinary.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Although Fang was charged in a single incident, authorities allege the defendant was responsible for a string of hateful messages found across the Northern California campus.

— Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of hateful

Adjective

In Michigan alone, more than 7,000 have fallen ill with the nasty foodborne disease, which causes severe diarrhea, and comes from exposure to a parasite in contaminated water used to wash or irrigate crops.

— Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Europe has been consumed by a nasty fire season this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of nasty

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virulency

virulent

virulently

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“Virulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulent. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of virulent

adjective

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