venom

[ ven-uhm ]

See synonyms for: venom venomed venoming on Thesaurus.com

noun

the poisonous fluid that some animals, as certain snakes and spiders, secrete and introduce into the bodies of their victims by biting, stinging, etc.
something resembling or suggesting poison in its effect; spite; malice: the venom of jealousy.

Archaic. poison in general.

verb (used with object)

Archaic. to make venomous; envenom.

Origin of venom

First recorded in 1175–1225; variant of Middle English venim, from Anglo-French; Old French venim, venin, from (unattested) Vulgar Latin venīmen, for Latin venēnum “magical herb or potion, poison,” from (unattested) wenes-nom, equivalent to (unattested) wenes- desire (see venerate, Venus) + (unattested) -nom noun suffix

synonym study For venom

1. See poison.

Other words for venom

2	malignity, acrimony, bitterness, acerbity, gall, spleen, hate

See synonyms for venom on Thesaurus.com

Other words from venom

ven·om·less, adjective
outvenom, verb (used with object)
un·ven·omed, adjective

Words Nearby venom

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use venom in a sentence

The longer it takes to stop a snake’s venom from moving through the victim’s body, the more damage occurs.
Cheap, innovative venom treatments could save tens of thousands of snakebite victims | Christie Wilcox | September 19, 2020 | Science News
The tissue maxim is especially true for bites from vipers and other snakes with venoms that target the blood and soft tissues and thus tend to cause more physical damage.
Cheap, innovative venom treatments could save tens of thousands of snakebite victims | Christie Wilcox | September 19, 2020 | Science News
Destruction begins from the moment of a bite, and the cocktail of proteins and other molecules in the venom will continue to ravage until the immune system produces enough antibodies to remove or destroy those toxins.
Cheap, innovative venom treatments could save tens of thousands of snakebite victims | Christie Wilcox | September 19, 2020 | Science News
He’s a retired entomologist in Cincinnati, Ohio, with an interest in hornets and venoms.
What you need to know about ‘murder hornets’ | Susan Milius | July 20, 2020 | Science News For Students
The team also performed preliminary biochemical tests on the fluid in the newfound glands, and discovered that it contains phospholipase A2 enzymes, a large group of fat-chopping proteins that are frequent components in animal venoms.
Bizarre caecilians may be the only amphibians with venomous bites | Christie Wilcox | July 3, 2020 | Science News

Now he earns millions spouting venom on Fox News about immigrants, women, gays and lesbians, and anyone else.
Arkansas’s Blue Collar Social Conservatives Don’t Know What’s Coming | Monica Potts | November 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Olivia: At home, I found myself staring at a jar of snake venom skin product.
We Were Gwyneth’s GOOP Guinea Pigs | Erin Cunningham, Olivia Nuzzi | March 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But who wants to come home to snake venom and a bowl of steamed kale?
We Were Gwyneth’s GOOP Guinea Pigs | Erin Cunningham, Olivia Nuzzi | March 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It talks about her agoraphobia and her diabetes, as well as her recent court testimony, all without judgment or venom.
Paula Deen, Comic Book Hero? | Tricia Romano | September 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
"Most of the venom that is spewed at us comes from our own people, which I think says a lot," says Paddy.
Riding Along With a Towson University Student’s ‘White Patrol’ | Caitlin Dickson | April 24, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Edna looked down at Mademoiselle Reisz and wondered how she could have listened to her venom so long.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate Chopin
This the colored people must bear in mind, and keep clear of the hideous thing, lest its venom may be test upon them.
The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States | Martin R. Delany
It is strange that the matter with regard to the venom of toads has not been yet settled.
The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 1 | Gilbert White
Slander had lost its sting, and malice its venom, at least for the present hour.
Ernest Linwood | Caroline Lee Hentz
To his surprise, the agent's tone did not reveal a great amount of venom.
Hidden Gold | Wilder Anthony

British Dictionary definitions for venom

venom

/ (ˈvɛnəm) /

noun

a poisonous fluid secreted by such animals as certain snakes and scorpions and usually transmitted by a bite or sting
malice; spite

Origin of venom

C13: from Old French venim, from Latin venēnum poison, love potion; related to venus sexual love

Derived forms of venom

venomless, adjective
venomous, adjective
venomously, adverb
venomousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for venom

venom

[ vĕn′əm ]

Any of various poisonous substances secreted by certain snakes, spiders, scorpions, and insects and transmitted to a victim by a bite or sting. Venoms are highly concentrated fluids that typically consist of dozens or hundreds of powerful enzymes, peptides, and smaller organic compounds. These compounds target and disable specific chemicals in the victim, damaging cellular and organ system function. Snake venoms, for example, contain substances that block platelet aggregation (causing bleeding) and that prevent the release of acetylcholine by nerve endings (causing muscle paralysis). Many substances contained in venoms are under investigation for use as pharmaceuticals.

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