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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Recent Examples of virulent
Mounting fear within the Jewish and Conservative communities of New York is that Mamdani’s furtive stance of justice for Palestine and divestment from Israel is stoking the flame of more virulent Anti-Semitism to come.
—
Alexandra Bregman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
It's been 28 years since the rage virus — a virulent, bloodborne infection that sends its hosts into extreme, uncontrollable rage and states of undead decay — escaped a lab and decimated nearly all of the United Kingdom, now under rigid quarantine.
—EW.com, 20 June 2025
Studies have shown that microorganisms can become more virulent and form stronger, thicker biofilms in space.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Besides condemnations cloaked in virulent antisemitism and anti-Zionism, many questioned Israel’s open war against Iran and its implications for President Donald Trump’s commitment to restore safety and security around the world.
—Dr. Robert G. Rabil, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Alexandra Bregman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
It's been 28 years since the rage virus — a virulent, bloodborne infection that sends its hosts into extreme, uncontrollable rage and states of undead decay — escaped a lab and decimated nearly all of the United Kingdom, now under rigid quarantine.
—EW.com, 20 June 2025
Studies have shown that microorganisms can become more virulent and form stronger, thicker biofilms in space.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Besides condemnations cloaked in virulent antisemitism and anti-Zionism, many questioned Israel’s open war against Iran and its implications for President Donald Trump’s commitment to restore safety and security around the world.
—Dr. Robert G. Rabil, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulent
Adjective
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Cybercriminals often scan inactive IP ranges, using them for various malicious activities.—
Vincentas Grinius,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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The presenters will also explain how businesses can fend off malicious adtech with effective network monitoring.—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Not to mention, antibiotics aren’t always effective at killing drug-resistant bugs, and each UTI leaves you more susceptible to future infections, creating a vicious cycle.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
1 Aug. 2025
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Coming less than a year after the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in the same neighborhood, which was widely regarded as an assassination motivated by contempt for the American health insurance industry, LePatner’s death prompted a similarly vicious response on social media.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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A little more than a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a decision from the Ninth Circuit that determined a ban on people sleeping in public was constitutionally cruel and unusual.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
29 July 2025
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In an inordinately cowardly and cruel act, Rubio stayed away from the department that day, ignoring the men and women whose careers and life plans were decimated by his flippant decision-making.—
Lynn Northcutt Vega,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Late in the episode, Cartman calls off his suicide attempt after Butters helps convince him that there’s always hope for a return to the world where Cartman’s hateful trollery will again be a minority voice pushing back against the mainstream.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
24 July 2025
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His otherwise incomparable legacy will forever be stained by his hateful remarks about Black people.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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The 5-foot-8, 185-pound Robinson was on the receiving end of a nasty collision with outside linebacker Brian Burns on Friday.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
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After dropping Monday’s opener to the Twins – following a nasty delay between the top and bottom of the ninth – the Red Sox got right back on the horse.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Virulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulent. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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