as in masculinity
the set of qualities considered appropriate for or characteristic of men
many cultures value virility as a sign of power
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Recent Examples of virility
For someone like Eli, then, projecting movie-star-like virility and vigor was an exercise in social advancement, in distancing himself from his babushka forebears’ grim reality.
—
David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
Beards were not signs of virility but of disorder.
—Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Mao Zedong is said to have suggested that anyone who couldn’t tolerate chiles couldn’t be a revolutionary; all over the world, and for centuries, spiciness has been something to conquer, and chiles have symbolized strength, bravery, national pride, and virility.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025
Historically, mustaches have symbolized virility and toughness.
—Claire Murashima, NPR, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for virility
David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
Beards were not signs of virility but of disorder.
—Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Mao Zedong is said to have suggested that anyone who couldn’t tolerate chiles couldn’t be a revolutionary; all over the world, and for centuries, spiciness has been something to conquer, and chiles have symbolized strength, bravery, national pride, and virility.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025
Historically, mustaches have symbolized virility and toughness.
—Claire Murashima, NPR, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for virility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virility
masculinity
Noun
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Bentley also says that historically, meat is tied to masculinity, while vegetables and sweets are thought to be feminine.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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Challenging the definition of masculinity.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Virility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virility. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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