as in severity
biting sharpness of feeling or expression
I was surprised by the virulence of the criticism
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Recent Examples of virulence
Scientists emphasized that this hasn’t been linked to virulence or rapid transmission.
—
Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024
When a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024
Those cases have decreased significantly in the U.S. The current strain, called clade 1b, is worrisome because of its virulence.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
In Earth Abides, when a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for virulence 
Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024
When a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024
Those cases have decreased significantly in the U.S. The current strain, called clade 1b, is worrisome because of its virulence.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
In Earth Abides, when a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for virulence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulence
Noun
-
Allergic reactions can lead to a variety of symptoms with varying degrees of severity.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Depending on the type and severity, symptoms might include dry, flaky skin that itches, cracks, appears red, or forms blisters.—
Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed,
Health,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
International pressure is growing as the United Nations urged both sides to prevent a resurgence of hostilities.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Soon, hundreds of thousands of Gazans would enter Israel daily for work, and Gaza's economy became tied to Israel's, but hostility persisted.—
Efrat Lachter,
Fox News,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The nation needed a president who could hold the pieces together, waging war when it was thrust upon him, urging malice toward none when the situation--or state, or congressman, or issue--changed.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Donald Trump seems to prefer malice toward all and charity for none.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is when a person's bile ducts become chronically inflamed and scarred, impairing bile transport and fat absorption.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Digestive Health Turmeric may help stimulate the production of bile, a fluid your liver secretes to break down dietary fat and aid digestion.—
Jonathan Purtell,
Verywell Health,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near virulence
Cite this Entry
“Virulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulence. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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