venomous

[ven-uh-muhs]

adjective

1. (of an animal) having a gland or glands for secreting venom; able to inflict a poisoned bite, sting, or wound.

   a venomous snake.

2. full of or containing venom; poisonous.

   a venomous wound; a venomous potion.

3. spiteful; malignant.

   a venomous attack; a venomous tongue.

   Synonyms: ill-disposed, rancorous, hostile, malicious

Other Word Forms

• venomously adverb
• venomousness noun
• venomness noun
• nonvenomous adjective
• nonvenomously adverb
• nonvenomousness noun
• unvenomous adjective
• unvenomously adverb
• unvenomousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of venomous¹

1250–1300; Middle English venim ( o ) us < Anglo-French venimus ( Old French venimeux ). See venom, -ous

Example Sentences

They include scenes of people dying after being forcibly infected by venomous fleas and of experiments to induce frostbite by leaving undressed people outside to freeze.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

A draw at Falkirk saw fans once again screeching for his sacking, a pretty much constant and venomous refrain in recent times.

Read more on BBC

And the fact that they are bidding farewell to their fans with a glorious party record — “International,” the trio’s 13th album — is particularly venomous.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Inspired by the venomous novel by Warren Adler, both films are metaphors for building a home and then tearing it down, although the chandelier this time is merely incidental.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Besides the turtles, Lin also exported 11 other parcels filled with reptiles, including venomous snakes, according to the Justice Department.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• destructive 
• malicious 
• noxious 
• rancorous 
• spiteful 
• vicious 
• virulent