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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 virulent
Helene left many lessons to be learned among inland communities in the paths of increasingly virulent storms.
—
Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 21 May 2025
Just then, however, a virulent backlash against generative A.I. swept through Hollywood.
—Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 21 May 2025
The virulent Delta variant, for example, appeared in the spring of 2021 and was overtaken by the Omicron variant, which also caused severe disease, that November.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
After being the target of virulent antisemitism as a child and while grappling with drug addiction as a young man, Isaacs stumbled into acting — and quickly made a name for himself.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 21 May 2025
Just then, however, a virulent backlash against generative A.I. swept through Hollywood.
—Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 21 May 2025
The virulent Delta variant, for example, appeared in the spring of 2021 and was overtaken by the Omicron variant, which also caused severe disease, that November.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
After being the target of virulent antisemitism as a child and while grappling with drug addiction as a young man, Isaacs stumbled into acting — and quickly made a name for himself.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for virulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulent
Adjective
-
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2025
-
Implement web filtering to restrict access to known malicious websites.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Republican tax bill could push food assistance in Colorado into a vicious cycle of funding cuts, increasing mistakes in determining eligibility and further funding cuts to punish those mistakes, Gov. Jared Polis warned in a letter to congressional leaders Friday.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
16 June 2025
-
Plaschke delivers a vicious uppercut to his opponent.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
And for every San Antonio, there is a Utah or Washington or Charlotte that can’t believe how cruel the lottery can be.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
-
This is cruel, unnecessary, and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Black said the synagogue has received hateful emails and phone calls.—
Rosario Del Valle,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
-
Hamas, Iran, and their allies and ideological sympathizers in the West have flooded the world with their hateful lies and antisemitic incitement since October 7 — lies designed to demonize Israel, the Jewish people, and their supporters.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
And some erratic vibrations were detected at points last week as the stark outperformance of year-to-date laggards over the top 2025 performers prompted some comparisons to the nasty momentum-stock reversal of February and March that upset the market well before the tariff panic.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
14 June 2025
-
She quickly gets embroiled in a nasty war of blackmail and stalking, and with the help of an unscrupulous life coach, matters escalate way too far.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Virulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulent. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share