virulent
adjective
vir·u·lent
ˈvir-ə-lənt 
ˈvir-yə-
1
a
: marked by a rapid, severe, and destructive course
a virulent infection
b
: able to overcome bodily defensive mechanisms : markedly pathogenic
virulent bacteria
2
: extremely poisonous or venomous
3
: full of malice : malignant
virulent racists
4
: objectionably harsh or strong
virulent criticism
virulently
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of virulent in a Sentence
The country seemed to be returning to the virulent nationalism of its past.
the virulent look on her face warned me that she was about to say something unkind
Recent Examples on the Web
This is objectively true, and even the most virulent Kyle stan cannot object.
—
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024
The best-selling novel (and Apple TV+ series) Lessons in Chemistry recently dramatized the often virulent misogyny that existed in scientific settings; Joy looks at a subtler dynamic, in which the contributions that women played in scientific discovery was downplayed.
—Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024
There are currently no public plans for distributing or administering H5N1 pandemic vaccines, although that could change if person-to-person transmission occurs or if the virus becomes more virulent.
—Maggie Fox, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2024
The onslaught against migrants that the Russian nationalist movement has unleashed, in concert with the police, has become so virulent that even some of Putin’s erstwhile defenders can’t stomach it.
—Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for virulent 
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Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024
The best-selling novel (and Apple TV+ series) Lessons in Chemistry recently dramatized the often virulent misogyny that existed in scientific settings; Joy looks at a subtler dynamic, in which the contributions that women played in scientific discovery was downplayed.
—Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024
There are currently no public plans for distributing or administering H5N1 pandemic vaccines, although that could change if person-to-person transmission occurs or if the virus becomes more virulent.
—Maggie Fox, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2024
The onslaught against migrants that the Russian nationalist movement has unleashed, in concert with the police, has become so virulent that even some of Putin’s erstwhile defenders can’t stomach it.
—Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for virulent
Dictionary Entries Near virulent
Cite this Entry
“Virulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virulent. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
virulent
adjective
vir·u·lent
ˈvir-(y)ə-lənt
1
a
: marked by a rapid, severe, and often deadly course
a virulent infection
b
: able to overcome or break down the defenses of the body
a virulent germ
2
: extremely poisonous : noxious
3
: full of hate : spiteful
virulently
adverb
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