Synonyms of virulent

virulent

adjective

ˈvir-ə-lənt 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• malicious
• vicious
• cruel
• hateful
• nasty
• malignant
• malevolent
• spiteful
• venomous
• bad
• bitter
• malign
• poisonous
• despiteful
• bitchy
• catty
• jealous
• harsh
• evil
• obnoxious
• hostile
• vitriolic
• mean
• acrimonious
• vindictive
• rancorous
• resentful
• envious
• contemptuous
• devious
• scurvy
• jaundiced
• snakelike
• scornful
• unkind
• derogatory
• baneful
• snotty
• opprobrious
• caustic
• snide
• disdainful
• baleful
• disparaging
• unloving
• inimical
• scoundrelly
• deprecating
• acrid
• mean-spirited
• unkindly
• scathing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• benign
• loving
• benevolent
• sympathetic
• warm
• kind
• good
• compassionate
• friendly
• pleasant
• amiable
• genial
• kindly
• agreeable
• cordial
• gracious
• sweet
• affable
• nice
• benignant
• unmalicious
• amorous
• affectionate
• warmhearted
• kindhearted
• good-hearted
• tender
• humane
• noble
• altruistic
• humanitarian
• magnanimous
• philanthropic
• tenderhearted
• high-minded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of virulent

The feminist progress of the past half century has been met with a virulent backlash of misogyny. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026

Further tests showed that the thick sticky coating made these bacteria more virulent than the normal-looking bacteria from the first urine sample. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026

Legionella, the bacteria that causes the virulent form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease, has been detected in a cooling tower at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on New York’s Upper East Side. — News Desk, Artforum, 15 July 2026

Deaths from influenza rose slightly, partly due to an unusually virulent strain circulating last year, although falling vaccination rates may also have contributed, The Wall Street Journal reported. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 2 July 2026