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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of virulent
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
The lives of just under 1,500 Lake County residents were lost to the virulent virus in 2020.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
But filtration and sterilization is probably not perfect, risking infection of native aquatic species with virulent pathogens.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2025
In all, both Escobar and Ortega have expressed regret, have promised to prove their growth through their actions, and have also asked virulent fans to stop harassing them and their families.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The lives of just under 1,500 Lake County residents were lost to the virulent virus in 2020.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
But filtration and sterilization is probably not perfect, risking infection of native aquatic species with virulent pathogens.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2025
In all, both Escobar and Ortega have expressed regret, have promised to prove their growth through their actions, and have also asked virulent fans to stop harassing them and their families.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulent
Adjective
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In addition, users will be able to permanently block a user from quote-sharing any of their posts, as a hedge against malicious dunks.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Sep. 2025
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That means malicious software is getting smarter, faster and harder to detect.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As and when evidence against that narrative comes out, either via six monthly reports or from some other source, the crash in the stock price will be more vicious than otherwise.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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In these homes, the conflict between budgeting and feeding kids well creates huge psychological stress for parents, which can lead to anxiety and depression, fueling the vicious cycle of stress and unhealthy eating, Beresin said.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The cruel irony is that the very systems designed to promote inclusion can inadvertently reinforce exclusion.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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And of course, to serve as cruel juxtaposition, deGrom retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the inning on just six pitches.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Political analyst Matthew Dowd took to MSNBC to say that Kirk’s hateful words had led to hateful actions.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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In other words, Cartman is irate that Trump has stolen his hateful, vindictive shtick.—
Nick Marx,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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One said bump is a particularly nasty, literal wig-snatching fight between Vida and Chi-Chi.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
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In a nutshell, people are easily irritated and inclined to get caught up in nasty power struggles because they’re entrenched in their own views.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Virulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulent. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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