virulence

[ vir-yuh-luhns, vir-uh- ]

/ ˈvɪr yə ləns, ˈvɪr ə- /

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See synonyms for virulence on Thesaurus.com

noun

quality of being virulent.

Bacteriology.

the relative ability of a microorganism to cause disease; degree of pathogenicity.
the capability of a microorganism to cause disease.

venomous hostility.

intense sharpness of temper.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Often vir·u·len·cy .

Origin of virulence

1655–65; <Late Latin vīrulentia stench; see virulent, -ence

Words nearby virulence

virtuoso, virtuous, virtuous circle, virtute et armis, virucide, virulence, virulent, virus, virus chip, virusoid, vis

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

How to use virulence in a sentence

The idea of increasing virulence, or increasing transmissibility, was not really something that most scientists had ever thought about doing.
A science in the shadows|David Willman, Madison Muller|August 26, 2021|Washington Post
It was an unprecedented moment, and Lopez and Affleck were both clearly unprepared for the virulence of the attention they brought down on themselves.
The Jennifer Lopez-Ben Affleck recoupling is the greatest gossip story we’ve had in years|Constance Grady|August 24, 2021|Vox
Also, the biology of this virus is such that its virulence will most likely continue to increase rather than decrease, at least in the short term.
“We never created a supervirus.” Ralph Baric explains gain-of-function research.|Rowan Jacobsen|July 26, 2021|MIT Technology Review
These common viruses are showing up at a distinctly uncommon time of year — and sometimes with uncommon virulence among children whose immune systems did not begin building up familiarity with them while the pandemic kept people isolated at home.
As coronavirus recedes, colds and common viruses are back — especially among children|Amy Goldstein, Fenit Nirappil|June 16, 2021|Washington Post

With so-called “gain of function” experiments, for instance, scientists genetically manipulate viruses to probe their evolution—sometimes in ways that boost virulence or transmissibility.
Did the coronavirus leak from a lab? These scientists say we shouldn’t rule it out.|Niall Firth|March 18, 2021|MIT Technology Review
And, if anything, it is all the more urgent as Islamic extremism appears to be increasing in size and virulence.
NYPD Will Continue Spying in the Muslim Community With Undercovers, Informants|Michael Daly|April 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some observers expect the virulence of the opposition to gay marriage to cool accordingly after the UMP leadership convention.
In France, Battle for Gay Marriage Heats Up|Tracy McNicoll|November 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At his instigation a persecution of unprecedented virulence raged like an epidemic throughout the empire.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
I drew my sword, and threatened him but he was insensible to his danger; he reviled me, he spat at me with a child's virulence.
Confessions of a Thug|Philip Meadows Taylor
The prisoners were freed from confinement; but the result of the trial was, that the virulence of the agitation for repeal abated.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
To add to our misfortunes, the cholera broke out in the fleets in Varna Bay and at Baltschik with extraordinary virulence.
The British Expedition to the Crimea|William Howard Russell
Their conduct is a striking display, not only of the virulence of envy, but of the progress and resentful nature of anger.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I|Francis Augustus Cox

British Dictionary definitions for virulence

virulence

virulency

/ (ˈvɪrʊləns) /

noun

the quality of being virulent

the capacity of a microorganism for causing disease

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

Cultural definitions for virulence

virulence

[ (vir-yuh-luhns, vir-uh-luhns) ]

The capacity of a pathogen, such as a microorganism or toxin, to produce disease.

notes for virulence

“Virulent” substances or organisms are extremely pathogenic or toxic.

virulence

Origin of virulence

Words nearby virulence

Words related to virulence

How to use virulence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for virulence

virulency

Cultural definitions for virulence

notes for virulence