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
Viruses can mutate to escape from antibodies, but the mRNA vaccines are not causing the emergence of more virulent strains, likely for at least two reasons.
—
Deborah Fuller, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025
The researchers analyzed samples of coronary plaques–fatty buildups on artery walls–from heart patients and found that about 40% of them had virulent bacteria in them.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The outlet reports that 14 more people were infected, bringing the number of people impacted by the virulent bacteria to 34 — the highest rate of infection in a decade.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This kind of modernism was exemplified in the ideology of the French Revolution and in the liberal ambitions of the Italian Risorgimento, both of which were marked by virulent anticlericalism and both of which the Catholic Church experienced as existential traumas.
—R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Deborah Fuller, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025
The researchers analyzed samples of coronary plaques–fatty buildups on artery walls–from heart patients and found that about 40% of them had virulent bacteria in them.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The outlet reports that 14 more people were infected, bringing the number of people impacted by the virulent bacteria to 34 — the highest rate of infection in a decade.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This kind of modernism was exemplified in the ideology of the French Revolution and in the liberal ambitions of the Italian Risorgimento, both of which were marked by virulent anticlericalism and both of which the Catholic Church experienced as existential traumas.
—R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulent
Adjective
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The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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For many of Modi’s supporters, Mamdani’s rhetoric is seen as a malicious attack on the country’s majority religion.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The boos were booming and vicious.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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This ad hoc ecosystem of technology is creating a vicious cycle where the very technology meant to solve problems ends up creating more.—
Daniel Kendzior,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That is unacceptably cruel, corrupt, and undemocratic.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Instead, she was stripped of her bronze medal after a late score inquiry—a ruling that still feels cruel for an athlete who had delivered the performance of her life.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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West has previously apologized to the Jewish community, only to go on to make offensive and hateful remarks directed at them publicly.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
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Dearborn is home to the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the US and has frequently faced Islamophobic and hateful remarks.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The discrepancy has divided voters, stirred up nasty social media exchanges and even inspired an 18-year-old Lakota grad to throw his hat in the district's school board race.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
29 Oct. 2025
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And any school or school district that does try to discriminate, that man right there will probably first send you a nasty gram and then drop the hammer.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Virulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulent. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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