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. 1. (of a microorganism) extremely infective

   2. (of a disease) having a rapid course and violent effect

2. extremely poisonous, injurious, etc

3. extremely bitter, hostile, etc

Other Word Forms

• virulently adverb
• hypervirulent adjective
• hypervirulently adverb
• nonvirulent adjective
• nonvirulently adverb
• supervirulent adjective
• supervirulently adverb
• unvirulent adjective
• unvirulently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of virulent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of virulent¹

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

Example Sentences

Viruses can mutate to escape from antibodies, but the mRNA vaccines are not causing the emergence of more virulent strains, likely for at least two reasons.

From Salon

Taking a job at a local army base, he is confronted with virulent race-baiting from his white supervisor and co-workers.

From Los Angeles Times

In all, both Escobar and Ortega have expressed regret, have promised to prove their growth through their actions, and have also asked virulent fans to stop harassing them and their families.

From Los Angeles Times

She was just as adamant that Nicola be an utterly unlikable, virulent bigot.

From Los Angeles Times

Indeed, it’s more judicious in tone, and far more fair-minded, than most of the Zohran freakout among centrist Democrats and mainstream U.S. media pundits, let alone the virulent racism and Islamophobia of Republicans.

From Salon

Related Words

• acrimonious 
• bitter 
• hateful 
• malicious 
• rancorous 
• scathing 
• vicious 
• vitriolic