venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈve-nə-məs How to pronounce venomous (audio)
Synonyms of venomousnext
1
: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death
venomous snakes
2
: full of venom: such as
b
: noxious, pernicious
… expose a venomous dope ring …Don Porter
c
: spiteful, malevolent
venomous criticism
venomously adverb
venomousness noun

Examples of venomous in a Sentence

The cobra is a venomous snake. a venomous attack on his character
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
As explained in the 2015 Toxicon study, honey badgers are known to prey on venomous species, including cobras. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 While Hines expressed concern that the snakes could be venomous water moccasins, Kennedy ultimately brushed off her worries as the reptiles continued to thrash and buck in his hands. Drew Pittock, USA Today, 28 May 2026 That species, while not venomous, often bites and defecates a foul-smelling musk when handled. John Wilkerson, STAT, 28 May 2026 After having his wedding night ruined, a finger and toe cut off and being buried alive, Jacob Elordi‘s Nate Jacobs faced his fate when a venomous rattlesnake slithered its way into the hole he was buried in and bit him. Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for venomous

Word History

Etymology

Middle English venimous, borrowed from Anglo-French venimus, venimous, from venim venom entry 1 + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of venomous was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Venomous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venomous. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

venomous

adjective
ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs How to pronounce venomous (audio)
: having or producing venom
venomous snakes
venomously adverb

Medical Definition

venomous

adjective
ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs How to pronounce venomous (audio)
1
2
: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death
the vipers, pit vipers, and coral snakes are venomous

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