Synonyms for virulent
ˈvɪr yə lənt, ˈvɪr ə-vir·u·lent

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. virulent

   Acid, sour, and bitter agree in being contrasted with sweet, but the two former are sharply distinguished from the latter. Acid or sour is the taste of vinegar or lemon-juice; bitter that of quassia, quinine, or strychnine. Acrid is nearly allied to bitter. Pungent suggests the effect of pepper or snuff on the organs of taste or smell; as, a pungent odor. Caustic indicates the corroding effect of some strong chemical, as nitrate of silver. In a figurative sense, as applied to language or character, these words are very closely allied. We say a sour face, sharp words, bitter complaints, caustic wit, cutting irony, biting sarcasm, a stinging taunt, harsh judgment, a tart reply. Harsh carries the idea of intentional and severe unkindness, bitter of a severity that arises from real or supposed ill treatment. The bitter speech springs from the sore heart. Tart and sharp utterances may not proceed from an intention to wound, but merely from a wit recklessly keen; cutting, stinging, and biting speech indicates more or less of hostile intent, the latter being the more deeply malicious. The caustic utterance is meant to burn, perhaps wholesomely, as in the satire of Juvenal or Cervantes. Compare MOROSE.

   Synonyms:
   acerb, acetous, acid, acidulated, acidulous, acrid, acrimonious, biting, bitter, caustic, cutting, harsh, irate, pungent, savage, sharp, sour, stinging, tart, vinegarish

   Antonyms:
   dulcet, honeyed, luscious, nectared, saccharine, sweet

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. deadly, venomous, virulentadjective

   extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom

   "venomous snakes"; "a virulent insect bite"

   Synonyms:
   blistering, pestilent, mortal(a), pernicious, sulfurous, mortal, baneful, acerbic, venomous, sulphurous, caustic, deathly, lethal, acrid, poisonous, vicious, deadly, acid, vitriolic, bitter, acerb

   Antonyms:
   atoxic, avirulent, nontoxic, pleasant

2. virulentadjective

   infectious; having the ability to cause disease

   Synonyms:
   acrid, blistering, acid, sulphurous, caustic, venomous, bitter, deadly, acerbic, vitriolic, acerb, sulfurous

   Antonyms:
   nontoxic, pleasant, avirulent, atoxic

3. acerb, acerbic, acid, acrid, bitter, blistering, caustic, sulfurous, sulphurous, virulent, vitriolicadjective

   harsh or corrosive in tone

   "an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose"; "a barrage of acid comments"; "her acrid remarks make her many enemies"; "bitter words"; "blistering criticism"; "caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics"; "a sulfurous denunciation"; "a vitriolic critique"

   Synonyms:
   blistering, red-hot, vitriolic, hot, blistery, acerbic, stifling, sulphurous, acidic, acrimonious, caustic, mordant, acidulous, venomous, astringent, sulfurous, acrid, deadly, acid, corrosive, pungent, biting, bitter, sultry, acidulent, acerb, erosive

   Antonyms:
   atoxic, nontoxic, pleasant, avirulent

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. virulentadjective

   Synonyms:
   poisonous, venomous

2. virulentadjective

   Synonyms:
   malignant, acrimonious, bitter

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. virulentadjective

   Synonyms:
   poisonous, venomous, malignant, bitter, acrimonious

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "virulent":

   vitriolic, outspoken, virulence, vicious, fierce

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How to use virulent in a sentence?

1. Hannes Schroeder:

   Our ancestors lived in a different environment and had a different lifestyle and diet, and it is therefore interesting to find out how this is reflected in their microbiome,' it can help us understand how pathogens have evolved and spread over time, and what makes them particularly virulent in a given environment. At the same time, it may help predict how a pathogen will behave in the future, and how it might be contained or eradicated.

2. Gordon Chang:

   North Korea, for decades, has had the virulent anti-U.S. propaganda, north Korea’s all stopped.

3. Catherine Donnelly:

   Many outbreaks linked to poultry, eggs and meat can be traced back to farms where intensive production practices can lead to [ the ] spread of highly virulent pathogens.

4. Francois Balloux:

   Early, largely anecdotal evidence suggests Omicron may be less virulent than Delta. This would be good news if confirmed, in principle.

5. Eric Schmitt:

   The PRC is motivated by a virulent communist ideology with its fundamental disregard for the rights of any individual. Add to this that the PRC is actively building up its military with increasingly advanced weapons systems. This, coupled with its nuclear capabilities, leaves no doubt that the PRC represents a threat that is like no other in the current geopolitical makeup of the world.