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View synonyms for virulent

virulent

[ vir-yuh-luhnt, vir-uh- ]

adjective

  1. actively poisonous; intensely noxious:

    a virulent insect bite.

    Synonyms: venomous

    Antonyms: harmless

  2. Medicine/Medical. highly infective; malignant or deadly.
  3. Bacteriology. causing clinical symptoms.
  4. violently or spitefully hostile.
  5. intensely bitter, spiteful, or malicious:

    a virulent attack.

    Synonyms: acerbic, vicious



virulent

/ ˈvɪrʊlənt /

adjective

    1. (of a microorganism) extremely infective
    2. (of a disease) having a rapid course and violent effect
  1. extremely poisonous, injurious, etc
  2. extremely bitter, hostile, etc


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Derived Forms

  • ˈvirulently, adverb

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Other Words From

  • viru·lent·ly adverb
  • hyper·viru·lent adjective
  • hyper·viru·lent·ly adverb
  • non·viru·lent adjective
  • non·viru·lent·ly adverb
  • super·viru·lent adjective
  • super·viru·lent·ly adverb
  • un·viru·lent adjective
  • un·viru·lent·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of virulent1

1350–1400; Middle English verulent < Latin vīrulentus, equivalent to vīr ( us ) poison ( virus ) + -ulentus -ulent

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Word History and Origins

Origin of virulent1

C14: from Latin vīrulentus full of poison, from vīrus poison; see virus

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Example Sentences

Throughout the autumn, towns all over the Midwest in conservative states where Republican governors have avoided mask mandates have tried to pass their own restrictions, often prompting virulent community debate.

This didn’t work with such a virulent disease that started spreading around the world.

You can also see another period of excess deaths from December 2017 to January 2018, attributable to an unusually virulent flu strain that season.

To do so, we can use the fact that the virus has not become more or less virulent over the course of the pandemic.

This can be achieved by becoming a guest post rockstar and willing to withstand a lot of virulent rejections.

Where the force generating those threats is a widespread, self-sustaining, and virulent social movement?

A trip to the doctor resulted in a diagnosis of Glioblastoma multiforme, an especially virulent cancer of the brain.

In America, anti-Semitism is less virulent and less violent.

The reaction from members on both sides of the aisle to the maneuver was virulent.

And opinions grew more virulent and befuddling on both sides.

The tobacco plant, as is well known, produces a virulent poison known as Nicotine.

The bacillus remains virulent a long time after it leaves the human body, but it is soon killed by sunlight.

If I add that he is in one respect to be included among the most virulent, I do not necessarily detract from his value.

The scientists of Sator knew that the virus was virulent; in fact, too virulent for its own good.

It was almost too abundant; like a rich, virulent weed it grew triumphant.

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virulencevirus