virus

noun

Definition of virusnext
as in disease

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Example Sentences

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 virus Paul releases some of Fauci’s diary Paul in his opening statement sought to build the case that Fauci helped produce the COVID-19 pandemic by approving funding of research on virus mutations and then covered up his complicity. — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 According to Fauci, 10 of the 12 scientists thought the virus was man-made in a lab. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 29 July 2026 Paul alleged Fauci approved funding for virus mutation research that contributed to the pandemic and later sought to conceal his role, allegations Fauci has consistently denied. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026 Fauci maintained in that entry that the virus originated from animal-to-human transmission. — Sony Salzman, ABC News, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for virus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virus
  1. disease
  2. contagion
Noun
  • DeepMind’s AlphaFold, for example, has used to AI to make available new structures for more than 200 million proteins, opening new pathways for research into disease and medicine.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The lab got its start with studies of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the 1900s, when ranchers and cattle were dying from the then-unknown disease.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • Circuit breakers were triggered once again, and contagion across the region saw steep declines for the Nikkei, led by the big tech names.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 28 July 2026
  • Organisers wanted to avoid any risk of contagion as the race passed through the valley.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of contagion

Browse Nearby Words

virulently
virus
viruses
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Cite this Entry

“Virus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virus. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on virus

Nglish: Translation of virus for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about virus

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